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All-Class begins this weekend, advance registration tops 1,050
The preparations are winding up and the countdown is nearly complete.
Now, Ely’s first all-class reunion in 20 years is ready to begin.
A celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Ely Memorial High School begins Saturday and runs through July 6.
Two giant “Rock the Park” concerts mark the start and end of the event, while in between organizers have assembled a slew of activities and numerous classes - or groups of graduating classes - have organized their own reunions.
In the weeks leading up to the event, anticipation has built and interest has grown.
As of early this week, advance registration topped just over 1,050 people.
Registration is still being accepted at check-in tables that will be set up at the Ely Senior Center this week. More information can be found on the reunion website at www.elyallclassreunion. com.
Cost is $25 per person and is required to take part in most reunion events, including both Rock the Park concerts that mark the start and end of the festivities.
All participants will get a “goodie bag” including trinkets and memorabilia as well as a lanyard, and registration is required to take part in most reunion events.
Ely’s last all-class reunion was in 2004, and others were held in 1995 and 1976.
A full schedule can be found on the website, and this week’s Ely Echo has a special edition with details about many reunion festivities, but highlights by day include:
• Saturday, June 29 - Rock the Park, 4 to 11 p.m., featuring the polka music of Hank Thunander, followed by Honkytonks and Hangovers and the Northwoods Band;
• Sunday, June 30 - Denominational service at Whiteside Park, and pontoon boat rides on Shagawa Lake;
• Monday, July 1 - Ely’s mining heritage to be celebrated at the Pioneer Mine complex including tours and music, and an all-class mixer that evening also at the mine complex with the music of the Four Blue Teardrops;
• Tuesday, July 2 - Ely Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Pioneer Mine complex during the evening and an alumni golf tournament during the day;
• Wednesday, July 3 - Day at School featuring tours and a look at recent renovations, a spaghetti dinner open to the public at the school cafeteria and an evening variety show at Washington Auditorium;
• Thursday, July 4 - Ely’s traditional July 4 activities including the parade, event and children’s games at Whiteside Park and the fireworks display at dusk;
• Friday, July 5 - Pickleball tournament and the Ely Alumni Baseball Game;
• Saturday July 6 - Second Rock the Park concert with Rockabilly Revue, Duluth and Nashville artist Rafe Carlson and The Reckoning.
Food trucks will be set up in the park and beverages will be on sale during the Rock the Park events, and a couple of new wrinkles have been added including Young Life sponsoring inflatables for kids, and a sawdust pile dive for prizes has also been added to the July 6 even As part of the reunion, numerous classes or groups of classes have set up reunions - at private homes and businesses, or at venues including the Senior Center, Whiteside Park pavilion, Veterans on the Lake and Semers Park.
