FAMILY REUNION:
What Does It Mean To You?
***It
means seeing family you haven't seen in years. Meeting their
children, seeing new babies, grandchildren, etc...Spending time
remembering "when" and catching up on time past. Taking
pictures of 5 generations..
What kind of activities do you do?
****At the last one...water balloon toss, egg toss, wet T-shirt
contest (males only), sack race, 3-legged race, volley ball game,
tug-o-war, relay race, fishing contest, golf tournement, chariot
race (pull your partner on a gunny sack), horseshoes, parent
feeding contest (for kids under 5 and their fathers) scavenger
hunt, dancing.
Where is it held? (park, zoo, a home, a
hall, etc...)
****Once in a park, sometimes at a relative's home who has a BIG
yard, a hotel at the beach, and last Aug. at an Oklahoma State
Park lodge and campground.
Do you enjoy attending?
*** Very much
Why do YOU attend?
***See first answer
About how many people show up?
***85-300 at various reunions
Is the amount decreasing each year?
***We don't hold one every year. We're too spread out. But no, it
stays pretty much the same, people die, babies are born...
Do you look forward to the upcoming event?
**Don't have one planned this year. But, yes, I am very much
looking forward to the next one.
Do you have a display of your ancestors'
photos?
***My family, Yes, four generations of ancestors + the 5 now
living, my husband, don't have any as far as I know..
What are some of your traditions involved in
the reunion when it is held?
***We have always had a watermelon eating contest (no longer,
because my nephew almost choked to death), and a seed spitting
contest. And homemade ice cream!
Do you take donations from everyone and use
it towards the next one? If not, how is it funded?
***No, we have a raffle, (last year it was a 5" color
portable TV) and charge $ per family for the meat, renting space
etc, if we don't have it at a family members house. If we do,
it's everyone on their own, and we each bring at least one dish
and/or condiment.
Do you know everyone who attends? Or are
name tags necessary?
***Yes and no...I know all the adults up to age 30 but we wear
name tags because not everyone does. AND having the children wear
names tags, and we had T-shirts made, assures that anyone finding
a wondering child will know where they belong.
How long have reunions been held in your
family?
Not annually, but since I was too young to remember...50+
Do you think family reunions are important?
***Yes.
Why?
***It keeps families from losing track of one another, and a LOT
of important information is passed around and perserved at a
family reunion. Genealogically speaking..history, documents
shared, pictures taken etc... My dad saw cousins he hasn't seen
in over 50 years. My grandchildren met my grandfather who is 99
yrs old. Families are much more spread out now than they were in
past generations. And family reunions are an excellent way of
keeping a family close...