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Graduation Parties Not Just For High School And College Anymore

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Been to a high school graduation party this year? How about eighth grade? Or fifth grade? There's more business for party retailers, as younger and younger grads celebrate.

It's graduation season, and that means Tina Mazzone, manager of Westmont Party supply in South Jersey, is inflating helium balloons nearly non-stop. But it's not just high school and college.  She says more people are celebrating eighth grade and other graduations.

"I'm not sure if it's just that people love to throw parties. And it's an exciting thing and a happy thing. Maybe that's the case, and maybe to encourage the kids that what they're doing is a great thing and they're advancing."

Customer Lisa Wilson of Oaklyn has noticed the party explosion. "Even the younger ones. They're doing a lot of parties for 7th and 8th grade graduations, Oaklyn goes to 9th grade so they even have those parties."

Wilson wonders whether all of these celebrations water down the true achievements. "Personally, I think it should be reserved for 12th grade or college."

Either way, Mazzone says more parties are definitely good for her business.

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