AUHS plans the party of century Sept. 3, 4 and 5

It's the type of party that only happens once in a lifetime, so I intend to be there for most of it.

I'm referring, of course, to the three-day celebration Sept. 3-5 of Labor Day Weekend when Anderson High School marks its centennial.

Co-chaired by former Cubs Jean Rhodes King (Class of 1966) and Pat Allison (Class of 1970), the organizing committee met monthly for more than a year to ensure that every surviving graduate since the school's first commencement in 1911 would be invited, included and made to feel welcomed.

For the centennial celebration, the performing arts department is kicking things off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, with an AUHS Serenade, also known as "Rock'n' in the Park," at the Gaia Hotel Amphitheatre, Anderson River Park.

Attendees will want to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the free concert performed by faculty and students, both present and past.

However, FFA students will be selling tri-tip barbecue sandwiches for $10 each, which includes chips, soft drink and cookie.

Music teacher Nancy Dutton will also be passing the hat to raise funds for the Centennial Grand, a grand piano she hopes to purchase for the school with all the donations.

Friday, Sept. 4, will feature a homecoming rally and parade through downtown Anderson. Limited to just 30 entries, parade vehicles will line up along Freeman Street, behind the Anderson Teen Center, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Note, the parade starts at 12:30 p.m., a slightly different time than was initially printed on the brochures.

The parade route is Freeman Street to North Street, east on North Street to McMurray Drive, south on McMurray Drive to Balls Ferry Road, and west on Balls Ferry Road back to Freeman Street. It will only take 30 minutes for the short parade to complete the entire route, so find your space early, Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb cautions.

Three football games, played back to back, start at 3:30 p.m. on Friday with the freshman squad, 5:30 p.m. for the junior varsity and culminating at 7:30 p.m. with the varsity homecoming game against Las Plumas. Best to wear blue and gold if you go. A re-dedication of Bob Reid Stadium will take place between the junior varsity and varsity games, Principal Scott Booth said.

Game tickets are $5 and available from the school.

Parking is limited, but overflow parking is available at the Shasta District Fairgrounds, Lot A, with a school bus providing shuttle service every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour.

Saturday, at 9 a.m., a $7 pancake breakfast will be served in the school cafeteria, with tours of the school's historical displays and a 10:30 a.m. program.

A $35 per person dinner/dance gets underway with no-host cocktails at 5 p.m. at the Shasta District Fair grounds. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and a program and dancing is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Additionally, throughout the weekend, various class reunions will take place around town, the city will dedicate a plaque marking the home of Elias Anderson, the town's founder, and the Anderson Historical Society & Museum will be open daily for tours and visits.

Go Big Blue!