CHS ALL CLASS REUNION – PLANS WELL UNDERWAY

Chinook High School Alumni are welcomed and invited to the upcoming CHS All-Class Reunion scheduled for July 4th – 7th, 2024, in Chinook. This four-day event will boast a plethora of fun and exciting activities. The Reunion Committee 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 beautiful Chinook, Montana 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 towards the fundraising efforts of rehabilitating the Pool and Park in Chinook, have planned an exciting time, and details regarding the event are shown below. All proceeds from this event will go towards 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 FOPP Committee would like to encourage everyone to reach out if you are planning an individual class gathering, so they can post it on their website regarding locations and times.

On Thursday, July 4th, registration begins at 9am and goes until 12pm at the Chinook High School Auditorium. Registration fees are $35 per Person, which helps cover the cost to run the event. This fee covers essential aspects such as Insurance, Mailers, Band, etc. During registration, the High School will be open for folks to tour and reminisce of old times. At 10am, there will be a dedication to the Science Wing 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 11am on Thursday, the 4th 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 11am to 4pm, 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 3pm to 4pm in front of the entrance to the Chinook Pool.

Back by popular demand, the Sweet Park Brewfest will be held on Thursday, July 4th starting at 4pm 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 4th, 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. 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 am and ends at 10 am. 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 am on Friday, July 5th at the Chinook Golf Course. Registration is $80 per person (4 persons per team). Pre-registration is required, be sure to

Continued on page 8: All Class Reunion register online at http://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 11am to 5pm. Starting at 12pm, 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 on Friday, July 5th at 1pm on Main Street. Entree fees are $10 per person and proceeds will go towards prize money. Cornhole is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages. From 1pm to 5pm, 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 FOPP! For those looking for an indoor activity, the Chinook Senior Center will be hosting Bingo at 2pm. This sure-to-please event is a crowd favorite and the crew at the Senior Center will make it a fun and enjoyable experience. There will be two professionally catered dinners at the reunion - one Friday and one Saturday. On Friday, July 5th at 5pm, 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 Ice Water, Iced Tea, Lemonade.

At 7pm., 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! There will be a Street Dance during the 2024 All-Class Reunion on Friday, July 5th starting at 9pm on 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. Beginning Saturday, July 6th, there will be a professionally catered breakfast from 7:30 am to 10am 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! The Blaine County Cruisers will be hosting a Carshow on Main Street at 9am. 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 on Saturday, July 6th at 10am 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. 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 4th 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 11am to 4 pm on Saturday! 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 on Saturday, July 6th. Lineup will be at 2 pm at Meadowlark Elementary School and the Parade commences at 3pm. Should you wish to participate in the Parade, please fill out a form from our website and bring it with you at Lineup; we will have forms 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. You 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.

At 4pm there will be a Jam Session 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!

Saturday, July 6th there will be another professionally catered evening meal at 5pm in the alley behind the Chinook Eagles Club. On the menu is a Charbroiled New York Strip Steak, Chicken Strips, Sauteed 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 and Coffee, Iced Tea and Lemonade.

The Blaine County Fairboard is hosting a concert on Saturday night as well. Copper Mountain will be performing, in concert, at the Blaine County Fairgrounds (Grandstands) and doors open at 7pm on Saturday, July 6th. This up and coming group is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Sunday, July 7th, the Chinook Fire Department will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast from 7:30am to 10am 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.

Area accommodations are listed on the All-Class Reunion website if you are looking for a place to stay or eat. Be sure to get your rooms reserved now, as they are going fast. 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. 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 on July 4th at Sweet Park (800 New York Street) from 4pm to 8pm. If you would like to become a Vendor, contact 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.