Powell Panthers spanning generations will return to their old stomping grounds this weekend to celebrate Powell High School graduates for the 97th consecutive year.

“How many towns can say they’ve been doing this for 97 years?” asked Nancy Hall, an organizer of the reunion. “It just brings everyone together.”

All-class reunion activities take place Friday and Saturday in Powell. Individual classes will celebrate their reunion Friday.

A full line-up of Saturday events kick off bright and early with the Annual Fun Run. Registration for the 5K walk and 10K run begins at 6:30 a.m., and races start at 7 a.m. The run is open to all, and participants can register ahead of time at Powell Recreation, 501 Homesteader Court or 754-5711.

The alumni breakfast follows from 8-10 a.m. on the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce lawn. The chamber is located at 111 South Day St. Jan Bailey and the Alumni Association will sell bricks from the old Powell High School gym featuring a photograph of the old building.

Alumni will hit the links during the annual golf tournament beginning with registration at 9 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The tournament costs $50 for 18 holes and a cart. The public is welcome, and golfers can register at the Powell Golf Club.

Also Saturday morning, different PHS class graduates will present a Parade of Floats at 11 a.m., reminiscent of old homecoming parades through Powell. They will stage at Aldrich’s.

Homesteader Museum will welcome alumni with an open house from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The museum also will host a book-signing of “Powell Then and Now,” a new photographic history of Powell, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

On Saturday night, the dinner/dance gets under way at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Park County Fairgrounds.

Larry Earhart, from the class of 1962, will be the master of ceremonies for the evening.

A local family with three generations of PHS graduates will be recognized during the banquet. That includes Ruby Lynn Hopkin, class of 1946, her daughter Lynn Bennion, class of 1970, and granddaughter Cicily Bennion, class of 2012.

During the banquet, alumni who traveled the farthest will be honored, as will the family with the most in attendance.

The Class of 1967 will give the Alumni Association an American flag dedicated to all of the alumni who have served their country.

After dinner, “Hurricane Mesa” will take the stage for the dance under the pavilion at the fairgrounds. There is no charge for the dance, and the public is welcome.

Powell High School alumni who also attended Northwest College will gather for another reunion event Saturday.

The NWC Foundation and PHS Alumni Association will host a 4:30-6 p.m. social hour before the PHS Alumni Banquet on Saturday.

The NWC get-together will take place in the NWC Foundation’s Nelson House at 550 College Drive, across from the Nelson Performing Arts Center on Sixth Street. In addition to providing a location, the foundation will also serve beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

For more information about the NWC reunion, contact Mark Kitchen at Mark.Kitchen@northwestcollege.edu or 754-6405 or Shelby Wetzel, 754-6110 or Shelby.Wetzel@northwestcollege.edu.

For more information about this weekend’s events, contact Nancy Hall at 754-0753.