Chinook High All-Class Reunion plans underway

Press release

Chinook High School alumni are invited to the upcoming Chinook High All-Class Reunion scheduled for July 4-7, 2024, in Chinook.

The four-day event will boast a plethora of fun and exciting activities. Members of the Reunion Committee said they would like to welcome alumni, family, friends, current and former teachers and non-graduating alumni to attend and enjoy the upcoming festivities.

The Chinook High School All-Class Reunion happens every 5 years in Chinook and, like many organizations, the All-Class Reunion Committee has been struggling to find volunteers to host the event. Thankfully, a local group in Chinook decided to take on the labor-intensive task of organizing and operating this event.

The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation, a nonprofit group working toward the fundraising efforts of rehabilitating thepool and park in Chinook, have planned an exciting time, and details regarding the event are shown below, the Reunions Committee members said. All proceeds from this event will go toward the Chinook Pool and Park Rehabilitation Project, with the exception of the local groups that are hosting specific events, which funds will go towards their own nonprofit entity.

Many individual classes are starting to secure places to hold their own gatherings during the All-Class Reunion weekend. Each class will decide whether or not they will hold their own individual class gatherings. Classes also have the option to combine with other classes as well and meet up at the same places, should they choose. There are plenty of locations, and some groups are even planning to meet at local classmates' homes. The members of the Friends of the Pool and Park Committee said they would like to encourage everyone to reach out if the are planning an individual class gathering, so the committee can post it on its website regarding locations and times.

Thursday

Thursday, July 4, registration begins at 9 a.m. and goes until noon at the Chinook High School Auditorium. Registration fees are $35 per person, which helps cover the cost to run the event.

The fee helps cover costs of things like insurance, mailers, hiring bands and so on.

During registration, the high school will be open for people to tour and reminisce of old times. At 10 a.m. the science wing will be dedicated in memory of former science teacher Gail Swant, who passed away in 2022.

One of the most cherished moments from reunions of years' past are the photographs. At 11 a.m., group photos will commence for the classes of 1940 to 1989 at Chinook High School on the lawn in front of the CHS sign. Like previous reunions, the organization has hired a professional photographer and will provide the photographs online for free on their Facebook Page. If you would like a print, you can order when you register online or at the time of the event. Photographs will be printed by our professional photographer, Heather Parker, and mailed out after the reunion. They are $20 each for an 8×10 photo.

At 11a.m. Thursday, the Fourth of July Kids' Races will be held at the Meadowlark School. This event is very popular with local kids and provides a fun time for them to get together and enjoy lawn games and even affords the kiddos the opportunity to win some fun prizes! Vendors will line main street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., showcasing their wares and food-items for sale.

Class photographs for the grades of 1990 to 2024 will be held at the Sweet Park from 3-4 p.m. in front of the entrance to the Chinook Pool.

Back by popular demand, the Sweet Park Brewfest will be held Thursday, July 4, starting at 4 p.m. at Sweet Memorial Park. As part of the Friends of the Pool's fundraising efforts, they are challenging the Alumni to help fundraise for this event. The Friends of Pool and Park agreed to give free beer to the class that raises the most money between now and the All-Class Reunion, July 4, 2024, with the requirement that the amount will have to exceed $10,000, which they hope each class can raise. The organization will post on their Social Media Pages, how the classes are doing; between now and then, and it will be updated regularly. This event was extremely well-attended last reunion, and the group is planning a great time with many different craft beers, seltzers, wines and non-alcoholic beverages. You won't want to miss it!

At dark, the Chinook Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fireworks display at the Blaine County Airport. Be sure to watch the wonderful display to celebrate our nation's independence.

Friday

Chinook Lion's Club will be hosting the Friday morning breakfast, and it will be held at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Chinook. Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. The menu is sausage, eggs and pancakes with coffee, water, and juice. This is a fundraiser for the Chinook Lion's Club, and it will help bring a skatepark to the community of Chinook.

There will be a Golf Tournament Fundraiser for the Chinook Lion's Swim Team starting at 9 a.m. Friday, July 5, at the Chinook Golf Course. Registration is $80 per person, four persons per team. Pre-registration is required, be sure to register online at https://www.chsallclassreunion.com . There is a limited number of clubs available to rent as well, for questions contact Thomas Tilleman at 406-899-2663.

Continuing Friday, vendors will again line the streets from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Starting at noon, the Blaine County Library is hosting a Yearbook Display, showcasing many yearbooks from Chinook High School through the years. Be sure to go check out your old school annual and reminisce through the photographs of years gone by.

Carrying on into the afternoon, the Pastime Lounge in Chinook is hosting a Cornhole Tournament Friday, July 5t, at 1 p.m. on Main Street. Entree fees are $10 per person and proceeds will go toward prize money. Cornhole is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation are sponsoring a Free Swim Day at the Chinook Pool. Head on down to the Chinook Pool and enjoy an afternoon in the sun, compliments of the foundation.

For those looking for an indoor activity, the Chinook Senior Center will be hosting bingo at 2 p.m. This sure-to-please event is a crowd favorite and the crew at the senior center will make it a fun and enjoyable experience.

Two professionally catered dinners will be at at the reunion, one Friday and one Saturday.

Friday, July 5, at 5 p.m., dinner will be in the alley behind the Chinook Eagles Club. On the menu is pulled pork, Western baked beans, old-fashioned potato salad, fresh fruit medley, a topping bar and fresh baked buns, an ice cream sundae bar dessert and a beverage station with icewater, iced tea and lemonade.

At 7 p.m., the Blaine County High School Rodeo Club is hosting a rodeo event at the Blaine County Fairgrounds where Team Penning will be taking place. Go check out one of Montana's favorite pastimes - cowboys and cowgirls in their element.

A street dance is set during the 2024 All-Class Reunion Friday, July 5, starting at 9 p.m. Main Street. Break out those dancing shoes and come enjoy some live music in Chinook. The band Three Eyed Jack will be performing live on Main Street; their music is a mix of many different genres and styles.

Saturday, July 6, there will be a professionally catered breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the alley behind the Chinook Eagles Club. On the menu is Texas-size French toast with strawberries and whipped cream, grilled ham steak, cheesy egg scramble, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit medley and a beverage station of hot brewed coffee and orange juice.

Covered seating will be available at all these events.

"If cars are your pastime, you are in luck," members of the Ruinion Committee said. "The Blaine County Cruisers will be hosting a cars how on Main Street at 9 a.m. and will showcase a myriad of different vintage automobiles from every generation! Be sure to check them all out!

The Jesse James Memorial Color Run will be held Saturday, July 6, at 10 a.m. on Main Street. This event is organized by the Jesse James Memorial Foundation. Jesse was tragically killed in a car accident and his family is continuing his legacy through their foundation.

"Join in all the fun at this color run; you can walk or run your way through the course getting colored chalk on your race shirt," members of the committee said. "Bring your friends and family for the fun run!"

Registration includes a T-shirt, sunglasses and a water bottle. Plans are to meet at the corner of Indiana and Fourth Street to begin the run.

Vendors will again line the streets from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A pie and ice cream Social will be held at the Chinook Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. People can come check out various pies and ice cream and enjoy the cool air inside the senior center. This will be a fundraiser for the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation.

The CHS All Class Reunion Parade will be held Saturday, July 6. Lineup will be at 2 p.m. at Meadowlark Elementary School and the parade commences at 3 p.m.

The organizers ask that people who wish to participate in the parade fill out a form from the reunion website and bring it with them at lineup; forms will be available there as well. There will also be a marching band during the parade. Instruments will be available to use compliments of Chinook High School. People will be required to check out the instruments and return them back to the band room upon commencement of the parade.

"Simply show up at the high school, and your instrument will be checked out to you," the organizers said.

At 4 p.m. a jam session will be on Main Street.

"If you would like to join in on the music, be there before 4 p.m. and jam out to some fun music," the organizers said.

Saturday, July 6, another professionally catered evening meal will be at 5 p.m. in the alley behind the Chinook Eagles Club. On the menu is a charbroiled New York strip steak, chicken strips, sautéed mushrooms and onions, baked potato bar, fresh garden salad with dressings, penne pasta salad, corn dogs, fresh baked dinner rolls, cheesecake squares with cherry topping, coffee, iced tea and lemonade.

The Blaine County Fair Board is hosting a concert on Saturday night as well. Copper Mountain will be performing, in concert, at the Blaine County Fairgrounds at the Grandstands and doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 6.

"This up-and-coming group is sure to be a crowd pleaser," the organizers said.

Sunday, July 7, the Chinook Fire Department will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 7:30-10 a.m. at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in the Commercial Building.

"This is a fundraiser for the Chinook Volunteer Fire Department, and we encourage everyone to attend and support the organization," the organizers said.

Area accommodations are listed on the All-Class Reunion website for people looking for a place to stay or eat.

"Be sure to get your rooms reserved now, as they are going fast," the organizers said. "You can also find Air B&Bs in this area as well, be sure to check out the internet for available homes to rent."

"We welcome all vendors to attend the CHS All Class Reunion as well," they added. "This event has been known to bring in 1,000 to 1,500 visitors and would be very worthwhile for a vendor to attend."

Vendors will be located primarily on Main Street in Chinook but are also welcome to join in on the fun at the Brewfest July 4 at Sweet Park, 800 New York Street, from 4-8 p.m. People who would like to become a vendor cancontact Kaissia at 406-390-3987.

The Chinook High School All-Class Reunion Committee is not affiliated with Chinook High School. It is a separate organization of volunteers that plan the All-Class Reunion event.

Still have questions? Please email us at [email protected].

See more at the reunion website at https://www.chsallclassreunion.com .

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Chinook All-Class Reunion schedule

Thursday, July 4th, 2024

• 9 a.m. to Noon - Registration at the Chinook High School Auditorium $35 per Person. This fee helps cover the cost to run the event, insurance, mailing, etc.

• 9 a.m. to Noon - Chinook High School is open for touring

• 10 a.m. - Dedication of the Gail Swant Science Wing will be held at Chinook High School

• Class Photos at Chinook High School - In front on the Lawn by the Sign (Classes of 1940-1989) $20 Each for an 8×10

• 11 a.m. (1940-1959 Classes)

• 11:30 a.m. (1960-1969 Classes)

• Noon (1970-1979 Classes)

• 12:30 p.m. (1980-1989 Classes)

• 11 a.m. - 4th of July Kids Races - Meadowlark School

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Vendors/Food Trucks on Main Street

• Class Photos at the Brewfest - In front on the entrance to the Chinook Pool (Classes of 1990 - 2024) $20 Ea for an 8×10

• 3 p.m. (1990-1999 Classes)

• 3:30 p.m. (2000-2009 Classes)

• 4 p.m. (2010-2024 Classes)

• 4 p.m - Brewfest - Sweet Park

• Fireworks at Dark - Blaine County Airport/Fairgrounds - Organized by the Chinook Chamber

Friday, July 5th, 2024

• 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. - Breakfast at the Commercial Building - Blaine County Fairgrounds - Organized by the Chinook Lion's

• 9 a.m. - Golf Tournament - Fundraiser for Chinook Swim Team - Golf Course

• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Vendors/Food Trucks on Main Street

• Noon to 5 p.m. - Yearbook Display at the Blaine County Library - 112 4th Street

• 1 p.m. - Cornhole Tournament - Main Street

• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Free Swim Day at the Chinook Pool (Sponsored by FOPP)

• 2 p.m. - Bingo - Chinook Senior Center

• 5 p.m. - Dinner - Main Street (In Alley Behind Inman Park)

• 7 p.m. - Rodeo Event - Team Penning - Blaine County Fairgrounds

• 9 p.m. - Street Dance - Main Street

Saturday, July 6th

• 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. - Breakfast - Main Street (In Alley Behind Inman Park)

• 9 a.m. - Blaine County Cruisers Carshow - Main Street

• 10 a.m. - Jesse James Memorial Color Run - Main Street

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Vendors/Food Trucks on Main Street

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Pie and Ice Cream Social - Chinook Senior Center

• 2 p.m. - Line up for the Parade in front of Meadowlark School

• 3 p.m. - Parade - Main Street

• 4 p.m. - Jam Session - Main Street

• 5 p.m. - Dinner - Main Street (In Alley Behind Inman Park)

• 7 p.m. - Concert - Blaine County Fairgrounds by Copper Mountain

Sunday, July 7th

• 7:30 a.m. - Pancake Breakfast - Chinook Fire Department Fundraiser - Blaine County Fairgrounds Commercial Building

• Church of your Choice

Website: https://www.chsallclassreunion.com .