Miners, assemble!

WALLACE — Miner pride will be on full display this coming weekend when the Wallace Elks Lodge No. 331 and the rest of the downtown businesses play host to the latest Wallace High School All-Class reunion.

All-Class Reunion Committee Co-Coordinator Marcy Hayman said that this most recent reunion, the last being held in 2015, came about with some of the older graduates in mind.

"We decided to do this one because myself and Amy Lynn both have parents that are creeping up there in age and we wanted to give them one last shot at making a reunion," she said.

Everything is set to kick-off when the WHS and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy alumni start trickling in Thursday. That afternoon, early arrivals to the event are invited to check in at the Elks building at 419 Cedar St. to pick up their registration packet and get more information about the weekend.

“There’s over 400 people registered for the reunion,” Hayman said. “That’s post-COVID, so that blows me away…we had to end up cutting it off.”

According to pre-registration, the oldest Wallace Miner set to attend the event graduated from Wa-Hi in 1937.

Check-in continues on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elks where alums will be greeted with an era-appropriate welcome and vendors.

“We’re going to have all kinds of display boards and stuff celebrating the different decades,” Hayman said.

Also during the day, the Shoshone Golf Club in Big Creek will be hosting a Reunion Scramble Tournament. Starting at 9 a.m., those who wish to play are asked to call the course at 208-784-0161 and sign up.

As the sun goes down, Miners both young and old are encouraged to rendezvous with their fellow classmates at their designated downtown bars. Each venue has been previously selected to host a specific group of graduates and decorate their place accordingly (the list of hosts, along with their assigned graduating years, can be found at the end of this article).

"Typically when we do the All-Class, we used the Slippery Gulch as an entertainment venue, but this time, we decided to let Wallace speak for itself," Hayman said.

For those who have worked up an appetite, a pull-pork dinner will be held at the Elks from 5 to 7 p.m.

To get around town, the mining tour trolley will be available to shuttle folks around downtown.

Speaking of trolleys, the Wallace Chamber of Commerce has announced that the world famous Ghiglieri Cannonball is slated to race Wallace's Olly the Trolley (reaching snail's pace speeds of nearly 6 mph) on Cedar Street at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday morning, things will start off at the Elks with breakfast being catered by Mom’s Vintage Eatery. Following that, alums have the opportunity to sign up at the Elks for a scavenger hunt that will take them all around town.

A steak dinner will also be held at the Elks that night from 5 to 7 p.m.

The night will cap off with a live music performance by Sverwood and Redstone at the outdoor stage on Cedar Street near City Hall. Gates open at 5 p.m. and Sverwood will take the stage at 7 p.m. Tickets will be on sale at the gate and in Wallace businesses.

Hayman says that more than 200 tickets have already been sold.

“Rob Faler is an alum from Wallace,” Hayman said. “Redstone is a band that he and several other fellas started several years ago when he graduated. They have opened for Foreigner and Brian Adams, and done a lot of really nice gigs. So they are pretty excited about coming to Wallace and Rob’s pretty excited to be playing for his hometown again!”

Redstone previously performed for a Wallace All-Class Reunion in 2000.

The event will wrap-up Sunday morning with breakfast at the Elks.

With the incredible number of registrations, Hayman is looking forward to the weekend.

“I think it will be fun! Busy, but fun!”

Registration costs from the alumni cover the costs of two breakfasts, two dinners, a T-shirt, and $5 to the scholarship fund.

Wallace establishments hosting reunion classes include:

• Wallace Elks Lodge No. 331: 1930-1959 and 2018-2021

• Fainting Goat: 2013-2017

• The Metals: 2004-2012

• Cogs: 1998-2003

• Albis: 1993-1997

• Wallace Brewing: 1988- 1992

• The 1313 Club: 1981-1987

• The Silver Corner Bar: 1975-1980

• The Brooks Lounge: 1968-1974

• The Day Rock: 1960-1967