ROCKINGHAM — The green and gold ambiance of the LED lighting system surrounding Raider Stadium will be lit up in full force again on Friday.
Two weeks after Richmond Senior High School head principal Jim Butler held a 15-minute light display to let his students know the school is thinking about them during the current coronavirus, the show will go on a bit longer this time around.
Butler posted on several social media sites on Thursday confirming the second light show, which will begin around 8 p.m. and run approximately an hour.
“We are continuing with our Friday Night Lights,” Butler wrote. “Each Friday we will light up our stadium in honor of the class of 2020 and their classmates. We will begin at sundown.”
The new twist on the traditional “Friday Night Lights” associated with football games during the fall will serve as a tribute to the entire student body, but primarily for the seniors.
During an unprecedented global pandemic, the graduating class has seen the last quarter of its senior year wiped out.
Aside from in-person schooling and athletics being cut out, the class of 2020 is missing out on several spring events like the annual Powder Puff football game, senior prom has been postponed indefinitely and graduation plans are up in the air.
The inaugural light show drew dozens of cars that lined the front entrance and US Highway 1 near the front of Richmond’s campus. Butler is hoping for a larger turnout this time, and will be allowing cars to enter campus and practice social distancing.
Vehicles will be let in the front gate and be allowed to line the areas and parking lots surrounding each end zone. Administration is asking that anyone present doesn’t leave his or her car.
“We ask that everyone continues to follow the social distancing guidelines,” Butler said. “We want to enjoy the night, but more importantly we want everyone to be safe.”
He added the hashtag #RaiderMagic to his post, which the light show promises to bring. The MUSCO LED lighting system can change colors and do a variety of flashes, dims and other displays.
No music choices have been released for Friday’s showing, but Richmond County Schools Public Information Officer Jasmine Hagar said there will be songs, selected by students and staff, playing May 1, 15 and 29.
