Lake Area Tech to Celebrate 2026 Graduates With Community‑Wide Grad Fest

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College is preparing to celebrate its 2026 graduating class with a full evening of community festivities, capped by a free outdoor musical performance on campus.

Grad Fest 2026 begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, with a student‑led parade from McKinley Park to the Lake Area Tech campus. The parade will travel along Kemp Avenue, moving through downtown Watertown before arriving near the Student Center on Arrow Avenue.

Lake Area Tech Vice President Cam Corey said the event is designed to honor students while bringing the community together.

“Grad Fest is really about bringing the entire Watertown community together to celebrate our students,” Corey said. “They’ve put in the work, and now it’s time to recognize their accomplishments in a meaningful way.”

The celebration continues on campus at 4:30 p.m., featuring family‑friendly activities, food for the first 500 attendees, and live music. Award‑winning DJ Jason Yoshino will perform along Arrow Avenue until 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the outdoor event.

Corey noted that graduates are entering high‑demand fields and making an immediate impact across the region.

“This event is a chance to celebrate everything they’ve accomplished and everything that’s ahead of them,” he said.

Alumni are invited to return to campus for the celebration and reconnect with faculty, staff, and fellow graduates.

Commencement weekend continues the next day with Lake Area Tech’s 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at the Watertown Arena. With this year’s class, the college’s alumni network will grow to nearly 27,000 graduates.

More information about Grad Fest and commencement activities is available at www.lakeareatech.edu or on Lake Area Tech’s social media channels.