Joan Robinson is so busy that it seems like her zillions of yellow sticky note reminders have sprouted sticky notes of their own.

It’s hectic enough to have one kid graduating. But Robinson and her husband Ron have two sons getting their diplomas within a couple days of each other this month. Jay receives his from The Colorado Springs School, and Rex from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

This means double the parental pride and double the tissues as happy tears are shed. But it is also double the planning — luncheons, dinners, open houses, invitations, caterers, tents, flowers, tables, linens, silverware, gifts, travel and hotel reservations. And don’t forget to order the hamburger sliders and gourmet macaroni and cheese hors d’oeuvres.

But as Robinson points out, “Thankfully, a lot of people are doing a lot of work for me.”

It’s that way this time of year.

Schedule of commencement ceremonies here

More than 3 million high school seniors are graduating nationwide. In the Pikes Peak region more than 7,000 students in more than 50 ceremonies will receive diplomas between May 15 and June 28.

While, or course, one must give credit to teachers, parents and tutor, who stuck with those graduates through thick and thin, there are other unsung heroes behind the scenes: the armies of caterers, florists, limo companies, cake bakers, card makers, party souvenir providers, photographers and others who help make the day memorable for everyone.

More than $4 billion was spent on graduation gifts last year, according to the National Retail Federation. And that doesn’t include spending on parties.

The typical graduation celebration event can cost $1,335.70, complete with nacho machine and DVD production, according to graduationparty.com. If the shindig is held at a country club with valet, tent and buffet, the price tag skyrockets to at least $6,500.

Local party businesses report that they are up to their elbows in cake frosting and barbecue sauce, while counting the silverware and extra seating that soon will be trucked to party sites.

The season is particularly busy because graduation overlaps with the beginning of the wedding season, businesses note.

“This year seems to be busier than the last few,” says Michelle Talarico, co-owner of Picnic Basket. The parties come in all sizes, from 250 guests or more on down.

It is popular for several families to join together for a graduation event. Another trend is a party hopping circuit. A group of friends will each hold a portion of the party at their home so their relatives from out of town and others can get in on the festivities.

Besides the graduates, food is the star at these parties and comfort food is trendy. For example, Talarico sets up macaroni and cheese stations where guests can choose from three types: apple and smoked bacon, wild mushroom and rock shrimp, or green chili and imported manchego cheese. Of course, the menus usually include barbecue beef and summer salads.

At graduation time, businesses often bring in extra help. That’s the case at Little London Cake Shoppe, said owner Jane Vasterling who is overseeing the yummy creative process.

These days teen graduates want “more than just a supermarket sheet cake slapped together,” she says. Cupcakes are popular, particularly those that have little sugar caps and scrolls on top.

But graduates also want want things fancier and fancier. They come in with pictures of cakes they have seen on the Internet. They are going for two-tiered cakes, like a round layer on top of a square base with fondant. They want them to be very creative, polka dots, zebra stripes, school colors. “Of course, they are more expensive and moms say, ‘Two hundred dollars. Oh, boy, did you get good enough grades to deserve this?” Vasterling said with a laugh.

Graduation, she says, “Is a time to be very very organized.”

Chris St. Peirre, a manager at Bruno’s Partytime Rental, knows that all too well. He just arrived here from the Omaha office to help beef up the staff. It’s not only graduation parties they are handling, but weddings, festivals and fairs. The company provides tables, chairs, tents, dishes, glassware, barbecue grills and such.

“Everyone has enough silverware for six or eight people, but not for dozens of guests.” His drivers will work 50 to 60 hours a week as the season progresses.

“It’s busy,” he says.

Wendy Pearce Nelson is way ahead of the game. She is actually getting ready for next year’s graduation.

Owner of Blue Fox Photography, she notes that members of the class of 2013 will start coming to the studio in June for senior photos. School yearbooks have fall deadlines.

Nelson offers a graduation package that includes a family portrait, because once the graduates are off to college those fall by the wayside.

The senior photo is usually the first time a student is getting a professional portrait of themselves only. “They are now young adults. It’s a rite of passage.”

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