By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

From riding in an 11 a.m. Old Settlers Day parade down Main St. to celebrating with a concert at the Marion County Lake Hall, Marion High School graduates will spread throughout Marion and Florence to see old friends Saturday.

At least four classes will attend an evening concert by Wichita band The Banned starting at 8 p.m. Saturday at the county lake hall.

The class of 1958 — seniors then and seniors now — will celebrate its 65th reunion on the first class float in the parade.

“We will be the oldest class riding in the parade this year,” class member Jim Christensen said. “We will meet at 10 a.m. to get on our float and in line for the parade. There will be nine of us on the float, and a few others will come later. We will meet in Central Park for lunch afterwards and stay for the class recognition on stage.”

Because the Christensens live in town, they always are the class members tasked with gathering hay bales, blankets, and anything else needed for the parade float — including the float, Jim’s wife, Judy, said.

The class of 1963 will celebrate its 60th reunion with a get-together in Marion City Library’s Santa Fe Room at 6 p.m. Friday. Members will meet there again Saturday morning for breakfast before going to the parade, have lunch at Central Park, stay for class recognitions, and then eat supper in the Santa Fe Room at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Twenty-two classmates are expected for the parade and 34 for supper.

The class of 1968 will have its 55th reunion by riding in the parade, having lunch at Central Park, and staying for class recognitions.

Class members will meet at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Florence at the American Legion Post for a 6:30 p.m. dinner.

The class of 1973 will mark its 50th reunion with 29 classmates and seven former teachers.

They will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at Marion Die and Fixture to board their float. After the day’s festivities, they will gather at 6 p.m. at the Historic Elgin Hotel.

The class of 1978 expects 30 classmates plus spouses for its 45th reunion.

They will attend a tailgate meal and homecoming football game Friday evening, then meet at Scott Miesse’s house after the game.

Members will have continental breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday in the basement of city hall before gathering for the parade float.

Although members will have lunch on their own, the class will attend class recognitions at 2 p.m. at Central Park.

A social hour and catered dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.

Class of 1983 will celebrate its 40th reunion by attending Friday’s homecoming game and gathering afterward at Mitch and Suzi Carlson’s home. They will ride in the parade Saturday, then gather at the Carlson house again at 4 p.m.

The class of 1988 will celebrate its 35th reunion by meeting at the football field to watch the game.

After Saturday’s parade and events in Central Park, class members will ride a school bus to tour Marion and Florence schools.

At 6:30 p.m., classmates will meet at Chris and Kathy Meierhoff’s house for a cream-can dinner.

The class of 1993 will mark its 30th reunion with by going to the Brandin’ Iron in Florence at 6 p.m. Saturday. Then class members will go to the Lake Hall for The Banned concert.

The class of 1998 will mark its 25th reunion by riding a float in the parade, then decide additional plans.

The class of 2003 will have its 20th reunion by attending the high school football game, touring the high school, riding in the parade, and attending a concert at the lake hall.

“Our class meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Lake Hall,” class member Shawna Johnson said. “We’ve got a food truck coming in.”

The class of 2008 will ride through the parade, then attend The Banned concert at 8 p.m.

The class of 2013 will mark its 10th reunion by riding in the parade, then meeting at the Lake Hall for a 6 p.m. reunion dinner. A party with games and activities behind the lake hall will follow.

The class of 2018 will celebrate its five year reunion by riding in the parade, then getting together for a 5:40 p.m. potluck at Riley Hakes’s house.