Saxon fans, students and staff celebrated Wednesday morning in downtown Hastings with the annual ‘Welcome Back to School’ parade.   The Saxon marching band played the fight song, horns honked, and crowds cheered to welcome and support the Hastings teachers and support staff who arrived on school busses.

After the parade, the annual BIE luncheon was held to recognize the important partnership between Business, Industry, and Education in the community. The collaborative event between the Hastings school district, the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance featured guest speakers on ‘Essential Skills for the 21^st Century’.  Hastings Area Schools classes begin on Monday, August 26.