I thought the photo booth was a hit.  The event at The Rushmore Hotel seemed cramped.

The Ramkota worked well...good facilities and rooms onsite. 

I enjoyed the bike ride at the 50th and likely would enjoy a longer one, not necessarily a more rigorous one. Last time, we rode from Founders' Park to the fish hatchery and back. If the trail goes out toward Rapid Valley, I'd be for adding that leg -- or perhaps there's a way to "trailer" bikes to ride along a segment of the Mickelson Trail. Food trucks in the park sounds interesting, as does donuts and coffee at some location. My wife and I also enjoyed the evening at the Elks Theater.

The committee is waiting to hear from you!! 
Do you want extra activities?
Donuts and coffee in the park?
Art walk around town?
Lunch at Founders Park with the food trucks?
Some want no activities. 
We need to hear from you!!
You can also use the contact button and I will post for you. 

A big shout and a special thank you to Sandra Lashley (Yeoman) for agreeing to be chairperson for this event!  Because several classmates will be heading South for the winter, we will start getting our ideas in place this summer, so that by May of next year we can put the final touched to the plans... registration then begins In June of 2023! Time will go by so fast!
Now is the time to give the committee your ideas!  They want to hear from you! (Mary Beth, website)

Notes from the class of 1971, 55th reunion at the Ramkota…
     Friday night we had the Wild West bbq and, yes, it went over well.  The table decor was easy.  We bought bulk bandanas for the center with cowboy boot trays filled with candy.  (We had table and chairs for all to sit down all 3 nights.  (They set up the iced tea and water station for us each night. ). Coffee was included on Friday at the station, I think.  It‘s served buffet style.
Saturday night we had the buffet dinner with chicken and pot roast.  The pot roast was delicious!  (We had the pork and chicken at the 45th. The pork was amazing, too.  I just had a request not to have it for religious reasons and we wanted to change it up a bit.).
     The most loved desserts were the white chocolate raspberry cake and the cheesecake.  We also had a chocolate cake. Nothing was left.  
You will love having both nights there.

The following was sent to me in an email from Randy Erickson who was on their 55th reunion committe. I asked him to send me a review of thier events and how it went, so as to help us in our planning. 

The Class of ’65 had previously made arrangements for evening meals at Angel’s Catering for their 55th reunion and when they chose to delay one year due to SARS2 (COVID19) we felt there was an opportunity for a ’65/’66 Reunion.  We went along with their meal and location choices and were very pleased with the food, location, and service.  (1) The location worked very well as both classes had about 60-70 attending and with 130 people the facility was full but not crowded.  I have no regrets, but (2) would consider other facilities closer to Rapid City.  (3) I am not sure how many classmates stayed at the Summerset Inn.  (4) Their video projection and audio microphone was adequate but could have been better.  (5) We removed our own decorations and displays and they handled all other clean up.  (6) Their facility charge was $500 per night and added separately to the per-meal billing.  (7) They provided bar staff and supplies.  (8) The separate location with parking lot worked well and there was no difficulty finding a place to park and no distractions by other activities or events.  Each evening ended after socializing with everyone leaving as there was not a cafe/bar to linger at after cleanup began.

Hope this provides some information of use.  The Class of ’65 had not planned much for other activities other than their meals.  The Class of ’66 has usually tried to attract as many of our Classmates as possible by offering additional activities such as our Main Street Square (free) Gathering, (Route ’66) Motorcycle Ride/Tour and lunch, Noon Picnic, tour of old RCHS Main building, etc.  We added gathering BYOB (Bring Your Own Breakfast) events at various Rapid City parks including Sioux Park, Wilson Park, and a lunch at Founders Park with food trucks.  We rented a shelter at Canyon Lake Park for a “bring your own meat” grilling and “pot luck” picnic.  Our intent was not to expect everyone to participate at every event but to provide as many separate opportunities for classmates to reminisce and re-acquaint with each other as possible.  Many of our Classmates expressed appreciation for our “Remember Tribute” presentation (DVD’s available) with names and pictures of deceased Classmates.   

Cass of 1967 is having their 55th reunion this September. They already have their events posted which are the same as last year, Friday mixer at Thirsty's and Saturday Banquet at the Ramkota. I am still waiting to hear from the class of 1966 on how they thought their events went and what they would do to improve, I will bug them again after the holidays.

I am still wanting ideas... Thinking maybe Thursday movie night at the theaters across from the Ramkota for those who plan to come early. Also thought of checking into the cost of renting a bus to go as a group to Mt. Rushmore, if there is enough interest. Just a couple ideas to through out there.

I believe the Ramkota for a gathering site is wonderful. Our last gathering there worked well ... they offer good amenities... it worked well

From... Scott Norman

I would like to see Thursday night optional with suggested activities, but nothing planned.  The reason being, check in for most places is around 4 pm and if you arrive Friday and want to take in a Friday afternoon activity you would have to leave your luggage in the car and check in to your motel AFTER the activity or you could stay Thursday the day before. I am guessing we will have a motorcycle ride one day and golfing the other day for sure! Also the Art Walk, I didn't get to go last year, and there is always new things to see or places to visit. Besides, If you are going to come from a good distance away, you might as well stay the extra day or more. If we were to use Ramkota again, Thursday we could have a happy hour in their lounge, or a movie night across the street. Also, by using the Ramkota for both Friday and Saturday, I am thinking we could get a hospitality room (FREE) for the 4 days, we could have a early Thursday registration & greeting, we could use the room for morning coffee & conversatiion, maybe a photography class, special interest group gatherings, Sunday morning goodby donunt stop... any other ideas???
PS:  I will be checking out the reunions this September from our classes 65, 66, 70 and 71 to see what worked well and what they would have done differently!
from Mary Beth Johnson (Howe)

I posted on our class face book page that we would like your ideas for events or activities on our website... but our facebook friends posted on facebook instead, so I am typing their ideas on our website so other classmates may read them and hopefully we will get ideas form more of you....

Our face book post was seen by 77 people and we had 16 comments...
The following were ideas suggested... junior high school tours, elementary school tours, daytime and evening events, art walk was a great daytime activity, ice cream gathering, visit graves again, visit Mt. Rushmore together, guys enjoyed the motorcycle ride.
Any suggested new activity ideas that we have NOT tried???
(web team Mary Beth)