The General Plan . . . so far
Friday Evening July 31st 7:00 pm - 10:30pm
Register and Reconnect!
- Reconnect with family members you haven't seen for a while and meet the ones you never knew you had! This evening will give everyone a chance to catch up, get introduced and just mingle! Enjoy the ice breaker activities as you meet your long-lost relatives. Most people in attendance will hardly know anyone - so don't be shy !
- Non-alcoholic refreshments and potluck appetizers and desserts will be served. A limited Beer and Wine cash bar will be available.
- Get your name tags, maps, tickets, agenda and anything else you might need for the weekend.
- Come and view your family tree! All the descendants of Patrick, Rita and Jean McKenna will be represented, so you can figure out where you are and how you are related to everyone else at the reunion! We plan to include a photo for each person right in the family tree chart, so please send in a your digital photos - preferrably just a head shot - to pascha@telus.net or your "Family Rep" as soon as you can.
- Sign up for the fun activities planned for Saturday and Sunday morning activities - including baseball or soccer games, or times for your family photos as well as volunteer activities - we will needs lots of help during the weekend!
- Honour missing family members at the Memorial Display
- Cemetery Visit - we plan to get Edmonton Cemetery Maps indicating where McKenna Family Members are buried so you can arrange a visit either Saturday or Sunday if you choose. Maps will be available at the Registration desk Friday.
- Or you can sign up to share a ride to West Edmonton Mall, attend Heritage Days or connect for Sunday Brunch.
Saturday August 1, 2009 1:30pm - 10:30pm
Finding our Roots
- Sleep in or take in the sights of Edmonton in the Summer!
- Registration will be open for late arrivals
- This day will be devoted to finding out about our ancestors - going back before Patrick, Rita and Jean as far as we can. Come and see our common family tree. We have lots of photos and stories to share and hope you do too!
- Non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks will be available all day. A limited Wine and Beer cash bar will be available. A Barbeque Buffet dinner (Steaks, Chicken and a Vegetarian and Children's choice) will be served at 6:00 pm with complimentary red and white wine.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
We are planning to arrange several activities to take place at certain times throughout the afternoon. These activities have yet to be confirmed but we are thinking of some or all of the following:
- At certain scheduled times, people will be invited to share the stories and memories about the lives of each of the three McKenna Children and their descendants. Each family will have a chance to tell some stories about their side of the family and we can all join in by sharing what we know and capturing the information for posterity
- Slideshows of photos not included the family tree can be shown at certain times or on a continuous loop during the afternoon or during dinner.
- Photo and artifact exchange. Bring those photos you no longer need, perhaps someone else would love to have them. Can't identify someone in the photo ? Maybe someone at the reunion can help.
- Ancestor's Advice - we'll collect those pearls of wisdom and funny sayings that have been passed down and post them on one huge poster
- Maureen Denison from PEI has graciously volunteered to take family and clan posed photos. Sign up sheets and schedules will be made up on Friday.
- Softball or Soccer games or other outdoor activities will be organized along with supervised activities for the younger children
- This evening's entertainment will be a Family Talent Show depending one how many people are willing to share their talents with us. See Registration Form to Sign up. Click Here
- Help us clean up. We need to completely clean up the hall Saturday night as there is a long-standing Church service scheduled for Sunday Morning.
Sunday August 2, 2009 Morning on your own
Group brunch can be arranged for those staying in the hotel block rooms and we can accommodate others who would like to join. Let us know Friday night at registration and we can make the arrangements. Seating limited to the first 50.
Sunday August 2, 2009 11:30 am- 2:30 pm
Optional Fort Edmonton Picnic and Scavenger Hunt
- Prepaid group entry tickets will be given to people who plan to attend this opional event on Friday night at Registration.
- You may go to the Park at any time, however the family is gathering in our reserved Picnic area at 11:30am.
- Lunch will be served there at 12:00
- The scavenger Hunt will be from 1:00 - 2:30 with prizes awarded at the Farewel Dinner later that evening.
Sunday August 2, 2009 4:30pm - 10:30pm
Farewell Gathering
Evening - Farewell Gathering and Informal Dinner at the
Pleasantview Hall.
- An Italian Buffet served at 6:00 with complimentary Red and White wines.
- Photos from the Reunion Weekend shown in slide show presentation
- We end our first McKenna Reunion with a brief closing ceremony.
Keep checking this spot as we will continue to add events. Please, let us know of any others that may be of interest.
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Here are some other Edmonton Events that could be interesting:
- West Edmonton Mall http://www.westedmontonmall.com note: Complimentary shuttles are available for th Cedar Park Inn - one of our reserved hotels
- Drive to Niton, Halkirk or Gadsby - places where Rita & Lou, or JB and Jean lived
For those staying longer:
- Edmonton Folk Festival Aug 6 - 9 www.efmf.ab.ca
- Trips to Banff or Fort McMurray to see the Oil Sands can be arranged
For those interested in going to Scotland for a visit during the Welcome Home initiative throughout Scotland this year
