Diane Edens is planning a party and she’s inviting 13,000 people.
Along with Gordy Dault and Bob Anderson, and members of the Falls Education Foundation, Edens is organizing the fourth Falls High School All Class Reunion scheduled for Aug. 11-13, 2016.
“We always start planning about two years ahead of time,” Edens said. “It takes a lot of time to get all the invitations out and get everything in place...Invitations will probably go out a year ahead of time.”
Edens is a veteran organizer for such a big event. She helped chair the previous all class reunion held in 2007. She said it was time for some to “step forward and do it,” so she decided to take on the challenge.
“We have a great start-up committee,” she said. “Everyone is working really hard to make this the best all class reunion ever.”
The local all class reunion has come a long way since its infancy in 1995. Back then, the organizers used their own funds to establish the event. Now, however, Edens said enough money has been generated to have an all class reunion account.
“After all the bills were paid, $5,000 was set aside for the following all class reunion,” she said. “In 2007, Gordy Dault headed up a committee to review remaining funds...It was decided at that time, to save $10,000 off the top.”
Edens said the committee is fortunate to have start-up money and members are busy planning where the event will be held, what bands will play, what floats will be featured in the parade and other activities that will be available during the weekend-long reunion.
“We’re not at a point to announce anything yet,” she said.
There is still room on the committee for anyone who would like to become involved with the planning stages. At 7 p.m. Feb. 26, a meeting at the Elks Lodge No. 1599 is open to anyone and everyone looking to become involved. Edens said there are still areas in need of a chairperson and the help is “greatly appreciated.”
“We hope to have a great turnout with all those willing to volunteer and help any way they can,” she said. “The all class reunion is for all alumni. We don’t want just a small committee making all the decisions.”
In addition to all alumni gathering together Aug. 11-13, 2016, Edens said individual classes are encouraged to plan their own reunions or multi-class reunions during the weekend.
