Junior and senior parents will again this year be throwing Albert Lea graduates a party they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

Plans are under way for “Finally Free 2003,” the all-night, after-graduation party, which will be held following commencement exercises on June 6 at Brookside Education Center. The party is open to ALHS 2003 graduates.

The early sign-up period will be March 10-14 during lunch period at the high school, as well as at conferences. The early sign-up price is $30, which includes a chance on a drawing for a boom box, donated by KATE Radio. The price after the early sign-up is $35. Early sign-up or not, the price is all-inclusive; graduates will not have to pay anything inside the door.

The idea behind the after-graduation party is to provide a safe environment for the whole evening, said this year’s chairmen, Char and Scott Boelter and Debbie and Steve Tubbs.

Doors are locked at 10:30 p.m., and the only way party-goers can get out is to get permission from a parent. But the chairmen say they’re trying to make it so no graduate wants to get out early.

There will be games, a casino room, themed food rooms, computer portraits and caricatures and areas for the graduates to be together one last time.

The highlight of the evening is a hypnotist. The party ends with lots of prize drawings at 4:30 or 5 a.m., the chairmen said.

“The evening goes by fast,” Scott Boelter said.

The organizers are need junior parents to help out with the party. Junior parents work the early hours of the evening and learn what needs to be done for the following year. Senior parents work the late shift. The planning committee has been meeting monthly since November and will continue to do so through May.

Any junior or senior parent who wishes to help should call the Scott and Char Boelter at 377-3383 or Debbie and Steve Tubbs at 373-2233.

In addition, letters were just sent out asking community members, alumni and businesses for prizes and cash donations for the party. Anyone who wants to send a donation may mail it to the Parent Communication Network, P.O. Box 6, Albert Lea.

The organizers stress that those who have attended the party in past years have had no regrets about being there.

“They have a great time,” Char Boelter said. “My daughter’s been out two years and she’s still talking about it.”

Scott Boelter said it’s an enjoyable event to work at because it really turns out that parents know a lot of the kids.

Added Debbie Tubbs, “We really want to try for 100-percent attendance.”