After having to call off their annual Labor Day weekend “Charleston Day Reunion” in 2020 and 2021, the National Charleston Day Organization is kicking it off again at home.
NCDO President Alvin Johnson said he knew of no better way to celebrate the first reunion since the onslaught of the pandemic than to return to its roots in Tallahatchie County.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of NCDO members and others with Charleston ties are expected to descend upon the city for special festivities scheduled Sept. 2-4.
Johnson said the tentative agenda for this year’s reunion includes a meet-and-greet Friday, Sept. 2, from 6-9 p.m., at the Charleston Day building on Oak Grove Road.
A parade is on tap for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. New East Tallahatchie School District Superintendent Marvell Hudson is to be the grand marshal, Johnson said.
“Mrs. Carolyn Johnson has agreed to help organize [the parade],” he noted. “Any groups, churches or individuals wishing to march in or put a vehicle in the parade, please see Carolyn or just show up and represent your family, class, group or just yourself.”
Johnson said the fun will continue through the morning and until 5 p.m. Saturday on Court Square, which will be closed to through traffic.
“There will be a DJ along with some musical acts and vendors selling food, clothing, jewelry and other things,” he added.
Johnson said vendor spots remain available for $50. Anyone interested in signing up for one is asked to contact Vanisha Powell at Charleston City Hall, he explained.
On Saturday night, a social gathering featuring dancing will be held from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Charleston Middle School gymnasium, Johnson noted. Tickets are $12.
Festivities climax with a banquet scheduled for 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday in the CMS gym. Superintendent Hudson will serve as master of ceremonies, Mayor Sedrick Smith will update affairs of the city and Concetta Wells will be the banquet speaker.
Johnson said Miss Vertreace Sanders, and perhaps James Howard Woods, will provide entertainment.
Joann Batteast Hoskins will be catering the meal for the $40-per-ticket banquet.
“Please order your banquet tickets soon,” Johnson urged. “We need to give Mrs. Hos-kins a head count by Aug. 25.”
Prize winners for raffle tickets being sold to raise money for NCDO scholarships will be announced at the banquet.
“Consider purchasing tickets to help raise money for scholarships given to students at Charleston High School,” Johnson said. “They will be sold around Charleston the whole weekend, and the first prize winner will receive $3,000, in addition to having the satisfaction of knowing that you helped make this event a success and you are opening up the possibility of more like it in the future.”
At the banquet, donations also will be accepted to help purchase a headstone for the grave of Mrs. P.L. Blackmon, buried in New Town Cemetery.
“We need to raise $1,195,” noted Johnson, who said donations will be capped at that amount.
In advance of the reunion, advertisements are being sold for the event’s souvenir book. Ads are $15 for a business card, $25 for a quarter page, $50 for a half page and $110 for a full page in color.
“Anyone wishing to advertise their business or service, or have a personal ad in the souvenir book can do so,” Johnson explained.
Ad order forms are available at Jeanette Bowens’ beauty supply store on Main, or call 773-960-5054 and arrangements will be made for someone to call on you, he added, stressing that the deadline to submit paid advertisements is Aug. 25.
Souvenir booklets will be available for purchase for $12, commemorative caps will sell for $15 and adult T-shirts ranging in size from small to 3X may be purchased for $12 to $15, depending on the size.
Johnson said it is hoped that the upcoming reunion “will bring tourist dollars from across the country to our beloved hometown and help to facilitate a joyous gathering of families and friends.”
The NCDO is comprised of present or former residents of Charleston, Mississippi, as well as people who have family ties to the city.
Founded in 1974, the NCDO has chapters in Atlanta; Charleston; Chicago; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit; Marietta, Georgia; Memphis; and St. Louis.
Anyone living in or near one of those cities who is interested in joining one of the chapters, or living in a city that does not have a Charleston Day chapter and wants information about starting a new chapter may email Johnson at acj7739@yahoo.
The annual reunion is rotated among chapter cities, but it returns to Charleston every five years. The last reunion was held in Charleston in 2019, and this year marks a hard reset back home.
The reunion was scheduled for Chicago in 2020 and, after that did not make, was rescheduled for the same location in 2021.
To learn more about the NCDO, visit their website at charlestondayclub.com.
