Megareunion Planned for ALHS Homecoming

What started as putting on a get-together for Avon Lake Homecoming is turning into a significant gathering with the announcement of a “megareunion” Friday, Oct. 5 for Avon Lake High School graduates.

The idea started when 1967 graduate Phil Kempthorne came into town and met up with Tony Tomanek, a 1968 ALHS grad. They talked about getting people together for the city annual Homecoming, the weekend of Oct. 5 and soon David Blakeslee, '70, jumped in to the fray to help organize.

"It's more of a school mate reunion," he said. "Tony and Phil were the driving force."

The initial plan of a reunion for only four years quickly expanded.

"We got something up on Facebook, first talking about the classes of 1966 - 1970," Blakeslee said. The idea was a multiyear reunion of people from surrounding classes. "But people on Facebook said, 'What about me?'"

The party was opened to anyone who graduated from Avon Lake High School, although Blakeslee  said he expects most attendees will be from his graduation era.

The event, which will run from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 5, will be held at the pavilion at Sweetbriar golf course.

"We'll supply the tables and name tags," Blakeslee said. Food and drink will be available inside Sweetbriar.

The idea has taken off and Blakeslee  expects upward of 300-400 people.
"We have nearly 100 confirmations on Facebook," he said.

That includes people flying in for the reunion, such as a woman flying in from California to meet her two sisters, all graduates, and then heading to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that weekend.

The plan is to keep the event simple. Graduates can stop by at any time, and if they're interested in going to the game, they can, and then come back.
Since the plan is to congregate outdoors, Blakeslee  said the number of attendees shouldn't be problem … unless the weather doesn't cooperate.
He expect families where a number of siblings may have graduated in different years to attend in a casual atmosphere.

"Just come up," Blakeslee said. "We'll have Sharpies for name tags. We want to keep it simple."

If you want to join the megareunion Facebook group, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/230664560365306/.