The annual community-wide reunion in August brings former students together with many activities including a concert-in-the-park.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
The coronavirus pandemic may have delayed the Fallon/Churchill County Community Reunion for a year, but to organizers of the annual event, they’re more than ready to see classmates converge on Oats Park in late August.
This year’s community wide reunion is set for Aug. 20-22 with the main hub of activity at the park. A local band kicks off the reunion with music, tours of various Fallon landmarks and a Concert-in-the-Park sponsored by the city of Fallon and the Churchill Arts Council highlight a busy Saturday.
Susan McCormick, one of the organizers of the reunion since 2014, said there’s more interest in August’s reunion because of a gap between this year and 2019. She said the reunion is honoring the classes of 1960 and 1961, which celebrate a half century since the students walked the halls of the Old High School.
“We’re doing really well,” McCormick said of the interest. “People are very excited.”
Other classes that have requested tents for the reunion include the following: 1963, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1979, 1980 and 1984. McCormick said they have had inquiries from a number of classes, and additional information is on the group’s Facebook page: Fallon/Churchill County Community Reunion. She said information on the reunion has been posted, and there’s also a message link.
The first all-community reunion took place in 2014, rising out of the months-long planning from Fallon’s sesquicentennial committee to honor Nevada on its 150th birthday.
The Coaches, a band consisting of former Greenwave coaches, will play Friday night at the Fallon Theatre. On the following day, visitors can tour the Churchill County Museum, the Fire Department, Frey Ranch Distillery, the Old High School, Cottage Schools, attend a Talk with Mayor Ken Tedford at city hall, visit to the historic Douglass House or attend the car show at the Life Center. McCormick said the library will be open on Friday but not Saturday. She added the list will be updated closer to the reunion weekend.
Beginning Saturday afternoon, McCormick said the classes will set up tents at Oats Park, and Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford will recognize the honored classes and the students.
The evening’s performance features The Dusty 45s have inspired and fired up crowds for over two decades to the delight of fans and critics alike. With their signature style and unique sound, the band is a consistently powerful and energetic player in the Americana field.
A free conversation with the band begins at 3 p.m. The topic is “Continuing the Tradition of Storytelling Through Songwriting.” After the concert, the ChArts Store and Arts Bar will open at 9 p.m.
