The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—Dayton Alumni Weekend will take place the weekend of July 14-16 according to Dell Groom, who graduated from Dayton High School in 1957, and who serves on the Alumni Association Committee as Parade Chairman.

On Friday, most of the classes work on their individual floats,” Groom said.

On Saturday, an hour before, and during the parade, alumni will be able to register, pay dues, buy raffle tickets or visit on the corner of 2nd Street and Main Street.

Money from the dues will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors and the winner of the raffle will receive $300. The drawing will be held at the Alumni Association meeting after the parade.

“The Alumni parade is at 10 a.m. on Saturday. We meet behind the high school gym on 2nd Street by 9 a.m. We leave going around School Bus Lane, down 3rd Street, to Spring Street, over to 4th, onto Main Street, and down to North 1st Street and turn around behind Dingle’s, back onto Main Street, to 3rd Street, to Clay, then back to 2nd , and return to the gym at the high school,” Groom said.

“This is so people can see both sides of the floats,” he added.

The American Legion Honor Guard will be leading the parade, followed by this year’s parade marshals, Gerald and Lois Howard.

Groom said, “The main focus is the floats, but we also have the fair hostesses.”

School District Superintendent Doug Johnson and High School Principal Paul Shaber will be judging the floats.

Following the parade, the official Alumni Meeting will take place at the Dayton Historic Depot, and is open to anyone who attended school in Dayton, or has an interest.

The winner of the raffle will be announced and ribbons will be given out for class floats. A small gift will be presented to the individuals who have traveled the furthest, and mention will be made for the longest local married couple who attended school in Dayton, Groom said.

Refreshments will be served and a new slate of officers will be elected.

There are no planned functions for Saturday afternoon, however, the high school and gym will be open for alumni to visit. Each individual class will attend their respective 10, 15, 20, and 25 year reunions on that day and photos will be taken.

“Sunday there is a potluck in the city park, at noon. Anyone who attended or graduated from school here is welcome,” Groom said.