07/24/2026
I wanted to reach out with an update on our upcoming reunion. We had originally set the dates for Friday, September 18th through Sunday, September 20th, 2026. We're adding some optional Thursday the 17th activities.
Here are the details for the weekend so far:
-Thursday, September 17th: The Homecoming Assembly will be in the afternoon and the Homecoming Game will be in the evening. We thought the game was the 18th--it was originally scheduled for that. The district changed the date on us. For people who are going to be in Pueblo Thursday, we could get a group together and attend either or both of those activities, and they will reserve seating and recognize us at the events. We don't know exact times yet, but we can set those things up with South after school starts. For people for whom Thursday through Sunday is too much reunion or who won't be in town, or who aren't interested in those activities, it's perfectly fine to decline to attend.
-Friday, September 18th: How about a mixer in the late afternoon at a venue as yet to be determined, appetizers and drinks and visiting, pay-as-you-go? Then large groups or small groups or individuals or couples might want to hit the Chile Festival for more frivolity.
- Saturday, September 19th: We have placed a deposit on the new Boathouse facility at the Riverwalk for dinner and dancing. The event will run from either 5:00 PM–10:00 PM or 6:00 PM–11:00 PM. The base price for the venue is $900, plus an additional $500 for required add-ons (security $200, cash bar or host bar setup $200, and liability insurance, $110). Catering is estimated at $25–$30 per person, and we have contacted a DJ--JJ Valentine (you might remember him from KDZA back in the day, who would charge $350 to play '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s tunes for us but says that price is a little negotiable.
- Sunday, September 20th: We are planning a picnic around 1:00 PM. At the 50th, donations covered the cost of the picnic. We have no way of knowing if that will be the case this year, but I think we could do the picnic for $8-$10 a person if we don't get donations.
Our problem, in trying to set everything up, becomes, understandably, people don't want to commit until they know exactly what's planned and what it will cost, and we can't figure out the cost till we know approximately how many will be attending. So I'm going to hit you with some figures:
If 50 people attend, cost per person is approximately $60-$65 per person; if 75 people, $48-$53 pp; if 100 people $43-$48 pp. We took a look at the Boathouse today; it's quite nice and has a great view overlooking the Riverwalk. We could also rent one or two of the tour boats that go through the river channel (each carries 25). so people could take a boat ride. Rental cost is $150 for an hour,which makes it about $6 a person for a ride; regular price if you buy an individual ticket is $12.
Please think all that over, and RSVP by August 1, 2026. That would give us at least an idea about how many people might come!
I'd also remind you that the Pueblo Chile and Frijole Festival is that weekend, and while that may present some issues, it also provides opportunity to plan other activities, either alone or as a group. The Festival runs all weekend and has food trucks and live music and b**r tents and lots and lots of booths for shopping. https://pueblochilefestival.com/
We also have added recently in Pueblo the Da Vinci Museum and Exhibit. See https://davincisteam.org/
And the Riverwalk itself is pretty great for exploring and dining, and the Boathouse is their newest addition. https://www.puebloriverwalk.org/ https://www.puebloriverwalk.org/209/The-Pueblo-Toyota-Boathouse
Please let us know if you plan to attend so we can finalize the budget and details.
With love and hopes of seeing you,
Cathy Blackmore and your Class of '71 Reunion Planning Team
Contact the HARP Authority at [email protected] OR call us at 719-595-0242 so we can craft the perfect Boathouse rental package for your next special event!
