Graduation Season in Western Mass Starts Sooner Than You Think
If your son or daughter is graduating in 2026, the planning clock is already running. Most graduation ceremonies across Western Massachusetts fall between the last week of May and the second week of June — and the parties stack up on the same handful of weekends.
At Frigo’s, we’ve been catering Western Mass families since 1950. Three generations of the Frigo family have packed coolers, stacked sandwich platters, and lined chafing dishes into the back of the family van for graduation parties from Springfield to East Longmeadow to every town in between. The names on the cap and gown change every year. The questions parents ask us every spring don’t.
This guide answers them — how far in advance to book, how much food to order for the number of guests you’re planning for, what travels well outdoors in early June heat, and what to do if grandma needs gluten-free.
If you’re already past the planning stage and ready to order, order graduation catering online or call us at (413) 525-9400 (East Longmeadow) or (413) 732-5428 (Springfield). Otherwise, read on.
Where We Cater Graduation Parties
We cater graduation parties throughout Western Massachusetts. Most of our catering goes to families in:
- Springfield — Cathedral, Central, Putnam, Sci-Tech, Commerce, and the Springfield-area private schools
- East Longmeadow
- Longmeadow
- Wilbraham, Hampden, and Monson
- Agawam, West Springfield, and Feeding Hills
- Ludlow, Chicopee, and Holyoke
- Westfield & Southwick
If you’re hosting a backyard party in any of these towns, we deliver. Our delivery minimum is $100, and we recommend ordering at least 72 hours in advance — though for graduation weekends specifically, the popular dates fill up two to four weeks out, so the sooner you call, the more likely you are to lock in your preferred delivery window.
How Far in Advance to Book a Graduation Caterer
The honest answer: as soon as you know the date.
Here’s how the timeline tends to play out for the families who plan ahead — and what tends to happen for the ones who don’t:
8–12 weeks out (April-May)
This is when the families who’ve done this before — usually because they’re graduating their second or third kid — are calling to lock in dates. By April, every weekend in late May and early June is a pressure point. Booking now means you have your pick of times and can still make changes to the menu later.
4–6 weeks out (June)
Still very workable. Most menu items are still available, but Saturday afternoon delivery slots between 11 AM and 2 PM are starting to fill on the busier graduation weekends.
2–3 weeks out
You can still get most of what you want, but you may be flexible on delivery time or specific menu items. Some signature dishes (especially anything that requires custom prep, like a 5-foot grinder) need a few days notice.
Less than 72 hours out
This is our minimum lead time for catering orders. We can usually still help, but the menu is limited to what we can prep on short notice. Call, don’t order online for last-minute requests — it’s faster.
How Much Food to Order for a Graduation Party
This is the question we get asked more than any other. The honest answer is: it depends on the time of day, whether it’s a meal or grazing, and how many guests will actually show up versus the number you invited.
Here’s the math we walk parents through every spring.
If you’re inviting 25 guests
Expect 18–25 to actually show up. Plan to feed all of them.
Lunch-style party (noon–3 PM):
- 1 medium antipasto platter ($124.99) — feeds 20–30 as a starter while people arrive
- 1 medium all-American deli platter ($89.99) or super deluxe platter ($99.99)
- A 5-foot Italian cold cut grinder ($165) — easy to slice, photogenic, classic
- 2–3 pasta salads (5 lb. each, $9.99–$10.99/lb.) — BLT pasta salad, tortellini salad, mozzarella salad
- 2 dozen homemade cookies ($2.50 each) and 1 dozen cannolis ($2.99 each)
Dinner-style party (4–7 PM):
- The Italian Buffet at $20.99 per person feeds 25 with a tray of cold cuts, pasta, chick
- en, salad, and roasted potatoes — essentially everything you’d cook for a family Sunday dinner, scaled up
If you’re inviting 50 guests
Expect 35–50. Plan for 45 to be safe.
Lunch-style party:
- 1 large antipasto platter ($224.99) plus 1 large deli platter ($129.99)
- 2 five-foot grinders (1 cold cut, 1 turkey or roast beef)
- 8–10 lbs of mixed pasta salads
- 1 large vegetable dip platter ($79.99)
- 4 dozen cookies, 2 dozen cannolis
Dinner-style party:
- The Complete Buffet at $19.99 per person × 45 people = a tray of cold cuts, two hot items (we recommend meatballs and chicken parmesan with ziti), two cold sides (tossed salad and tortellini salad), rolls, and butter
If you’re inviting 100 guests
For graduation parties this size, we recommend setting up a buffet line rather than platters. It moves people through faster, looks better, and ends up costing less per person than equivalent platter coverage.
- The Complete Buffet ($19.99/person) or Italian Buffet ($20.99/person) for 75 people (most parents over-order for this size)
- 2–3 large appetizer platters (antipasto, vegetable dip, cheese & fruit)
- A 5-foot grinder as a centerpiece
- For an extra polished touch: an on-site catering attendant ($200 for 4 hours) to keep the buffet stocked and looking sharp through the whole party
What Holds Up Outdoors in Early June
A lot of Western Mass graduation parties happen in the backyard, on the deck, or under a tent. Early June can be 65 degrees and overcast or 88 degrees and sunny. Here’s what holds up well in either case:
Outdoor-friendly:
- Cold cut platters and antipasto — these were designed to sit at room temperature
- Pasta salads (BLT, tortellini, Mediterranean, mozzarella)
- 5-foot grinders, when sliced and served within an hour
- Frigo’s house chips and homemade cookies
Use chafing dishes ($20 rental) for any hot items if you’re outdoors:
- Meatballs
- Chicken parmesan
- Sausage and peppers
- Baked ziti or lasagna
Be careful with anything mayonnaise-heavy in direct sun for more than 90 minutes (chicken salad, tuna salad, BLT pasta salad) — keep them in the shade or on ice.
Skip if it’s a hot day:
- Hot soups
- Anything fried (loses its crisp fast)
Dietary Restrictions: What to Know
Almost every graduation party has at least one guest with a dietary need. Here’s what to ask us about when you order:
- Vegetarian — Vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmesan, vegetarian sandwiches, every salad on the menu
- Allergies — Always tell us. Our catering ordering info sheet asks about allergies, but if it’s something serious (nuts, shellfish), call us directly at one of the locations above so we can flag the kitchen
Pickup vs. Delivery: Which Is Right for Your Party
Pickup is right for you if:
- The party is at your house and you’re already running errands graduation morning
- You want maximum flexibility on timing
- You’re doing platters and cold items that don’t need to be rushed warm
Delivery is right for you if:
- You’re doing a hot buffet and want it set up fresh
- The party venue isn’t your home (a function hall, the yacht club, a relative’s house)
- You don’t want to be making catering runs while guests are arriving
Delivery has a $100 minimum and a delivery fee that depends on distance from our Springfield (90 William Street) or East Longmeadow (159 Shaker Road) locations. The team will give you the exact fee when you book.
On-Site Catering Attendants
For parties over 75 people — or for parents who don’t want to think about food once guests arrive — we offer on-site catering attendants. $200 for the first four hours, $30 every hour after. They keep the buffet stocked, swap out empty trays, refill the chafing dishes, and break down everything before they leave.
We’ve had parents tell us afterward that this single line item was the difference between actually enjoying their kid’s graduation and spending the whole afternoon refilling pasta. Worth thinking about if you’re hosting more than 50 people.
How to Order Catering for Your Graduation Party
Two ways to book:
1. Order online at order.frigofoods.com
Browse the full catering menu, build your order, choose pickup or delivery, and pay (50% deposit required for orders over $100). Best for parties under 50 people with a straightforward menu.
2. Call us
- East Longmeadow — (413) 525-9400 — Mon–Fri 8 AM–7 PM, Sat 8 AM–6 PM, Sun 9 AM–4 PM
- Springfield — (413) 732-5428 — Mon 8 AM–5 PM, Tue–Sat 8 AM–6 PM
Best for larger parties (75+), custom menus, on-site attendant requests, or anything where you want to talk through the options with a real person before booking.
Either way: the earlier the better. Graduation weekends are the busiest catering days of our year.
Frigo’s Graduation Catering FAQ
How much do you charge for graduation party catering?
Our buffet packages range from $19.99 per person (Complete Buffet) to $21.99 per person (Tuscan Buffet). A la carte pricing depends on what you order — most graduation parties end up between $15 and $25 per guest including platters, sides, and dessert.
Do you do graduation parties in my town?
We deliver throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Monson, Ludlow, Chicopee, Holyoke, Agawam, West Springfield, Feeding Hills, Westfield, and Southwick. Delivery minimum is $100.
How much advance notice do you need?
72 hours minimum. For graduation weekends specifically (late May through mid-June), we recommend booking 4–8 weeks out — the popular dates fill up.
What’s your most popular graduation menu?
The Italian Buffet ($20.99 per person, 25 person minimum) is our most-ordered graduation package. It includes a cold cut tray, tossed salad, roasted potatoes, your choice of pasta (lasagna, stuffed shells, eggplant parm, or creamy pesto), and your choice of chicken (parmesan, francaise, marsala, or napoli). It’s one decision per category, and it feeds everybody.
What if I need to cancel?
A 50% deposit is required on orders over $100, and deposits are non-refundable on cancellations. If your plans change, call us as early as possible — we can sometimes shift your order to a different date if there’s availability.
Are taxes included in your prices?
No. All prices are pre-tax. Massachusetts meal tax is added at checkout.
Can you accommodate a graduation party at a venue, not at my house?
Yes. Whether it’s a function hall, a yacht club, a backyard, or a park pavilion, we’ll deliver and set up. For venue catering, we strongly recommend an on-site attendant ($200 for 4 hours) so the food stays fresh and stocked through the party.
Ready to Lock In Your Date?
Graduation only happens once. Order from a Western Mass family that’s been doing this since 1950.
Order Graduation Catering Online →
Or call (413) 525-9400 (East Longmeadow) / (413) 732-5428 (Springfield) to talk through a custom menu.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 — and to the parents who got them there.