The 12th annual Reunion Fest went off without a hitch on Saturday, July 1st. Local bands entertained alumni and their families, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chad Day was honored with the Outstanding Alumni of the Year, and an impressive firework show closed the night.
Reunion Fest began when Lyndall Fraker and the class of 1977 were planning their 35th reunion. Other graduating classes wanted to join in for convenience, and this “reunion festival” took off. Now, all graduating classes, and even current students, can gather at the Marshfield Community Building to celebrate, eat, and enjoy live music.
Every year, Reunion Fest awards one person with the Outstanding Alumni of the Year trophy. This year’s recipeient was Chad Day, former quarterback for the Blue Jays and Pulitzer Prize winner who graduated from Marshfield in ’06. Day also teaches Data Driven Reporting at the University of Georgetown in Washington D.C.
“It’s an honor to come back to my hometown to be recognized,” said Day, “to receive this award in front of my family and fellow Blue Jay alumni is incredibly humbling.”
Chad Day started his career at the Marshfield Mail, covering sports and local happenings around Webster County as a high school student under former editor Mark Eddlemon. They reunited at the award ceremony, with Eddlemon presenting the award.
“When I saw Chad start popping up on National TV,” chuckled Eddlemon at the ceremony, “I expected to hear a hint of a hillbilly accent! Had it been me, closed captioning would have been needed for the big city folks to understand. But y’all here in Marshfield will understand me when I say this: Chad Day, congratulations on your distinguished career!”
Local bands The Jetz, The Issac Kenneth Band, and White Oak Revival all performed during the event. A large firework show marked the end of this year’s Reunion Fest, leaving attendees excited for the future of this increasingly popular event.
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