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725 already registered for all-class event, slated for June 29-July 6
Anticipation is growing and the planning continues for Ely’s first All-Class Reunion in two decades.
The grand celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Ely Memorial High School begins June 29, runs through July 6, and is full of events and activities.
Graduates of Ely High School have responded, with advance registration at 725 people as of earlier this week.
After months of planning, the reunion committee is completing its work and getting ready for the major event.
“It’s coming together,” said Diana Mavetz Petrich, co-chair of the reunion committee. “We’ve got a good group of people. Everybody has got their thing that they’re responsible for. Now we’re fine tuning things. It’s exciting.”
The reunion encompasses two weekends, intertwines with Ely’s July 4 celebration, and includes numerous events as well as individual class gatherings.
Ely’s last all-class reunion was in 2004, and others were held in 1995 and 1976.
This one is jam-packed, starting and ending with Rock the Park concerts at Whiteside Park, with each day featuring various activities.
A full schedule can be found online at the reunion website, at www.elyclassreunion. com, and Mavetz Petrich indicated that the website is a valuable resource to keep track of events and take note of any changes.
Registration is still being accepted and can be done on the website. Cost is $30 per person and is required to take part in most reunion events, including both Rock the Park concerts.
“People need to know that if you have a significant other, they also need to be registered to attend events,” said Mavetz Petrich.
The festivities begin with the June 29 Rock the Park, featuring the polka music of Hank Thunander, followed by Honkytonks and Hangovers and the Northwoods Band for an event that runs from 4 to 11 p.m.
The events of Sunday, June 30 include a nondenominational church service at Whiteside Park, bingo at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and pontoon boat rides on Shagawa Lake.
“We can take out about 60 to 70 people per hour, and there will be people helping at the boat landing to get people in and out of the boat,” said Mavetz Petrich. “But people have to get signed up (to take part) on the website. In the hours we have scheduled up to 300 people can go out.”
Ely’s heritage will be celebrated on Monday, July 1, with an event at the Pioneer Mine complex.
The community’s mining history will be recognized and the event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes lunch, Pioneer Mine tours and the music of Bernie Palcher and the Solkela Polkela band.
“The schools were built by the mines and there’s so much we have to thank them for in this town,” said Mavetz Petrich. “Mining has been responsible for so much.”
That evening, the Ely Echo is sponsoring an allclass mixer at the Pioneer Mine complex, with appetizers and a cash bar and the music of the Four Blue Teardrops.
The newest inductees in the Ely Sports Hall of Fame will be honored and recognized at a July 2 event (see related story) at the Pioneer Mine complex, and a reunion golf tournament will be held earlier that day, with reduced greens fees at the Ely Golf Course.
Up to 48 teams can participate and about 20 were registered as of this week.
The school complex is the venue for the activities of Wednesday, July 3.
A day at school includes an open house during the day, and former teachers are expected to be on hand to greet the Ely alumni.
Visitors are invited to tour the school and see the many renovations that were part of a $20 million-plus renovation project on campus.
“We’re really showcasing the school,” said Mavetz Petrich. “It’s a chance to see people and look at stuff. When you’re going to school you often don’t look at what’s there. Now people can walk down the halls and think about the memories they have of being there. It will be pretty fun.”
The day at school includes a spaghetti dinner put on by Ely Community Resource, and that evening a variety show - featuring the talent of current and former Ely students - is planned for Washington Auditorium.
The reunion pauses in some ways for the July 4 celebration, which follows Ely tradition with a parade, numerous events and games at Whiteside Park and the fireworks display at dusk.
Sports are part of the focus of the reunion on Friday, July 5, with a pickleball tournament set for the morning and an alumni baseball game tentatively set for 6 p.m.
The baseball field concession stand will be open during the day and former coaches are invited to mix with Ely athletes prior to the alumni game.
Ely’s Knights of Columbus will host a pancake breakfast on Saturday, July 6, at St. Anthony’s and the reunion finale is the second of two Rock the Park events, again from 4 to 11 p.m.
Music includes Rockabilly Revue, Duluth and Nashville artist Rafe Carlson and The Reckoning.
Food trucks will be set up in the park and beverages will also be on sale.
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.
As of Tuesday, 19 different events were scheduled, with a full list being found on the website.
Volunteer help is still needed for some reunion events, and Mavetz Petrich said those interested can reach out at [email protected].
The anticipation continues to build and organizers are hoping for a spectacular event.
“It’s going to be a fun time,” she said. “We’re hoping to get the (registration) number up a little bit more. We know that not everybody can come to the whole thing and people may come in and come out. But this is an opportunity to come back to your home town and have a grand old time.”
