Gateway X-C Coach and homecoming race organizer John Crane awarding first place medal to one of the top runners last year. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – Gateway Regional’s 3rd Annual Homecoming Weekend is packed with events, beginning on Thursday with a kickoff dinner at the Chester Common Table and ending with an Alumni Band concert on Sunday at 4 pm in the Performing Arts Center. In between are a free movie night, 5 k road race, soccer and guided canoe/kayak tour of Littleville Lake, all with the backdrop of spectacular fall foliage.
All events are open to current AND former students, staff, families and community members. Most events are free, with donations going to different programs.
“It has taken on a life of its own, which is great for the weekend,” said Wendy V. Long, Gateway Public Relations.
The Kick-off dinner is Thursday, Oct. 11, 4 to 10 p.m. at the Chester Common Table, 30 Main St., Chester. Come, bring your friends and order off the menu. 15% of sales will be donated to the Gateway Education Fund.
Fri., Oct 12 is a FREE Family Movie Night, showing “The Incredibles” at 6:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. The Class of 2020 will also offer face painting and a bake sale. Donations will also be accepted to the Shipman Memorial Fund.
Several events will be held on Saturday, Oct 13. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in a free, timed 5K Dam Race and run the challenging but scenic home course used by Gateway’s Cross-Country Teams, which includes running up the back of Littleville Dam and scenic views along Littleville Lake.
The Class of 2020 will host a Breakfast Tailgate in the Gateway Regional High School parking lot, beginning at 8 a.m., so grab some goodies for before or after the race at that time. Race registration opens at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Gateway Regional High School. The timed race begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at the top of Littleville Dam, where medals will be awarded to top finishers.
Entrance is free but donations will be accepted for the Gateway Education Foundation at registration. This race is a service project of the Gateway Boys Cross-Country Team, coached by alumnus John Crane. Timing services are donated by The Berkshire Running Center in Pittsfield, owned by alumnus Kent Lemme.
Also on Saturday will be the Homecoming tradition of Soccer Saturday. Girls Soccer teams will face Mahar Regional; JV at 11 a.m. and Varsity at 1 p.m. Gateway Boys take on South Hadley, with JV at 4 p.m. and Varsity at 6 p.m. Annual Alumni Soccer Game will immediately follow Boys Varsity. ($2 Students/Senior Citizens, $4 Adults.)
Two kayakers are seen in the distance on Littleville Lake. (WNG Photo)
The Historic Canoe/Kayak Tour of Littleville Lake will meet at the Littleville Boat Launch at noon. Bring your own boat (BYOB) and learn more about the flooding of the hamlet of Littleville to create the reservoir with local historian Jeffrey Penn (GRHS ’80). The two hour tour is free, with donations being collected for the Gateway HS Outdoor Club.
On Sun., Oct 14, will be Alumni Band day, beginning with a coffee hour at 10 a.m. and followed by rehearsals and lunch, which will be provided. Alumni and current students will present a free concert at 4 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Donations will be accepted for the instrumental music program
“Homecoming has been growing. It’s a great opportunity for alumni to reconnect,” said Superintendent David B. Hopson, adding that a former teacher said to him this week, “It’s like coming home again.”
