There’s something special about a 50th anniversary, and the Powell High School Class of 1974 is making the most of it on this weekend’s 109th consecutive reunion marked by the Powell High School Alumni Association.

The two-day PHS alumni reunion features individual anniversary class gatherings on Friday, June 28 and a day-long schedule of all-class activities on Saturday, June 29. The weekend culminates at the Park County Fairgrounds for events from 4-11 p.m. Saturday.

Big class, big turnout

The PHS Class of 1974 reunion committee has been working hard on its 50th reunion, and it is paying off. The 50-year class will gather Friday at The Commons with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.  

“We are expecting about 75 classmates plus partners,” said Brent Emery. “We’ve found a lot of our classmates who haven’t been to a reunion since graduating.”

The 50-year reunion will actually stretch into a two-day event with a class picnic Saturday at the Large Pavilion in Homesteader Park from noon until 3 p.m.

“We decided we wanted to have more time to visit, to just keep up,” said Emery.

Lynn Jackson, who has been working with the logistics of contacting classmates, said the Class of 1974 numbered 146. She credits the closeness of the class members with the expected strong turnout.

“The bulk of us were friends. We all got along together so well,” she said.

Reunion rundown

How about 75 and going strong? The PHS Class of 1949 will gather at the home of Winston and Beryl Churchill at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 to celebrate the 75th reunion of the class. Eight of the 15 expected are 49ers.

The Class of 1960 will again be having a brown bag lunch at Washington Park, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, June 28, “hopefully to plan for our 65th year in 2025,” said Mary Wells. “We brown bag every year now, except for a major reunion.”

It’s 62 for the Class of 1962. That’s 62 years since graduating in 1962. The class will be lunching at the Park County Weed and Pest on Friday, June 28 at 11:30 a.m.  

Put it down as a major year for the Class of 1964. Music from the 1960’s will be featured at their 60th class reunion Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m. at the Elks Club, said Cheryl Kolesien. Looking back, the 1964 class was the first to enter the new high school on Evarts Street (since demolished) and the first to graduate from it. For the 60th, 21 class members are expected.

The Class of 1965 will be meeting at WYOld West Brewery between 5:30-6 p.m. for its 59th class reunion. For more information contact Terry Waln at 312-961-3984.

It’s “Welcome to the Class of 1969 charcuterie board snacks” Friday, June 28 at Jake Clark’s Mule Days barn at 240 Main St. in Ralston. Join in at 4 p.m. for the 55th class reunion, with dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.

A country setting on the Willwood is the gathering place for the Class of 1979 reunion, with about 50 or so penciled in to attend Friday, June 28 at the home of Jon Bloom, 861 Lane 13. The class will gather at 4 p.m., said Eileen Dalton Campbell.

Some 40 members of the Class of 1984 are expected to attend their 40th class reunion Friday, June 28 at the American Legion Hall at 7 p.m. Class member John Anderson from California is bringing his DJ regalia to spin the music for evening, said Gregg Bessler.

How about a combo reunion party? The 35-year Class of 1989 and the 30-year Class of 1994 are teaming for a festive party at Plaza Diane on Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m. The idea of a duo class party is modeled after last year’s combo party by the classes of 1988 and 1993. Melissa Brazelton will have a bar through WYOld West Brewery, and Wicked Eats food truck will be there. The two reunion classes are inviting others to join in later in the evening.

The Class of 2004 doesn’t have to recruit entertainment for its 20-year reunion party at 6 p.m. Friday, June 28 at the K-Bar. It brings its own in the person of class member Amanda Taylor, who does stand up comedy. A section will be reserved for the class at K-Bar, appetizers will be available and Amanda will entertain at 7 p.m.