Litchfield Marching Band continued its strong parade performances Monday with a first-place finish at the Town and Country Days Parade in Paynesville. It was the third consecutive first-place finish for the Marching Dragons, who also took first in their class at the Buffalo, Minn., parade Saturday and the Albertville, Minn., parade Sunday. Read more about the marching band in the June 18 print edition of the Independent Review.

Litchfield High School marching band stepped off the start of a new season this past weekend. After spending a couple days at band camp earlier in the week, the Marching Dragons marched Saturday at a parade in Buffalo and again Sunday at a parade in St. Michael. Read more about the band's early competitions in the June 18 print edition of the Independent Review.

Hats fiilled the air at the conclusion of commencement exercises Sunday afternoon at the Litchfield High School gymnasium. A large crowd watched as 134 students picked up their diplomas, which were presented by Litchfield School Board chairman Dan Dollerschell and members Donna McGraw and Brian Park.

Third-graders throw their hats in celebration during the Lake Ripley Elementary graduation ceremony Wednesday morning. Complete with pomp and circumstance, diplomas and mortarboards, students celebrated their transition to Wagner Elementary School next year.