No alcohol at a class reunion - unusual?

[ms.yt]

My husband's 20 year class reunion is tomorrow, and there is a family picnic type event in the afternoon and a meet and greet/dinner tomorrow night. This was a class of around 100 people. At my class reunions, both 10 and 20, and at his 10 year, the family event was no alcohol, but the evening event provided the option of having a drink with your meal. Apparently, some ultra-religious folks took over planning the event and decided that there would be no alcohol available at any of the "official" events. They claim is it because of some incidents that occurred at the 10 year reunion and because several members of the class are members of the clergy. We weren't married then, but my husband attended the 10 year reunion, and he doesn't recall any incidents.

Now, we aren't big drinkers, but we (and several others in the class) thought it was odd the way this whole no alcohol thing was presented. In the information they mailed out they made a point to state several times that there would be no alcohol permitted at the events, which prompted a big debate on the class FB page.

Has anybody else heard of a class reunion with such a stipulation?

 

[PatsMom]

The clergymen excuse wouldn't fly with me - most of the clergy drink! Except maybe Baptists. I know Catholic priests do. There was a cash bar at the reception after my two cousins were ordained and the clergy were lined up with all the rest of us.

If the organizers ban alcohol, it wouldn't stop me from going since drinking isn't all that important. It just seems stupid to tell a bunch of adults they can't have a drink or two with dinner.

You could always organize a protest and smuggle in little "nips" of vodka and pour it into your diet coke! That is what a friend of mine does when she goes to non-drinking events.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

Never heard of this.

I wouldn't go. I enjoy a cocktail while socializing. I also don't like "ultra-religious folks" telling me what I can and can't do.

If they don't want to drink, they don't have to.

It sounds like a church picnic to me. Not my cup of tea.

 

[Uncle Remus]

The clergymen excuse wouldn't fly with me - most of the clergy drink! Except maybe Baptists. I know Catholic priests do. There was a cash bar at the reception after my two cousins were ordained and the clergy were lined up with all the rest of us.

If the organizers ban alcohol, it wouldn't stop me from going since drinking isn't all that important. It just seems stupid to tell a bunch of adults they can't have a drink or two with dinner.

You could always organize a protest and smuggle in little "nips" of vodka and pour it into your diet coke! That is what a friend of mine does when she goes to non-drinking events.

Don't they call that a prom?

 

[ms.yt]

The clergymen excuse wouldn't fly with me - most of the clergy drink! Except maybe Baptists. I know Catholic priests do. There was a cash bar at the reception after my two cousins were ordained and the clergy were lined up with all the rest of us.

If the organizers ban alcohol, it wouldn't stop me from going since drinking isn't all that important. It just seems stupid to tell a bunch of adults they can't have a drink or two with dinner.

You could always organize a protest and smuggle in little "nips" of vodka and pour it into your diet coke! That is what a friend of mine does when she goes to non-drinking events.

We're in Arkansas, so I imagine most of the clergy that's being referred to are Baptists, Methodist, Church of Christ or maybe Pentecostal.

 

[Minnesota!]

Never heard of this.

I wouldn't go. I enjoy a cocktail while socializing. I also don't like "ultra-religious folks" telling me what I can and can't do.

If they don't want to drink, they don't have to.

It sounds like a church picnic to me. Not my cup of tea.

yep!

And, at our wedding, the priest was drinking just as much (probably more!) than anyone else!

 

[Sparkleshine]

My 15 year evening event was held IN a bar! So yes, it would seem unusual to me and knowing some of my old classmates they would bring flasks

 

[PatsMom]

We're in Arkansas, so I imagine most of the clergy that's being referred to are Baptists, Methodist, Church of Christ or maybe Pentecostal.

So I guess they don't approve of drinking, although I know a Methodist minister who says that they are to practice tolerance towards others who choose to drink. I still would not like them dictating what I could and could not drink with my dinner. I can see the family event - lots of people do not approve of alcohol being served around children.

 

[ms.yt]

Never heard of this.

I wouldn't go. I enjoy a cocktail while socializing. I also don't like "ultra-religious folks" telling me what I can and can't do.

If they don't want to drink, they don't have to.

It sounds like a church picnic to me. Not my cup of tea.

Exactly, it's not like anybody was going to force anybody to have a drink that didn't want one. Honestly, I don't know why we're going. My husband hated high school and doesn't even remember most of the people who have friended him on FB from his class. I think he's just kind of curious. I doubt we'll stay long.

 

[PatsMom]

Don't they call that a prom?

I guess they now also call it a class reunion! I would do it just to say na na na boo boo to the organizers!

 

[ms.yt]

I guess they now also call it a class reunion! I would do it just to say na na na boo boo to the organizers!

I'm wondering how many people will show up tipsy now just to irritate the organizers.

 

[NotUrsula]

The clergymen excuse wouldn't fly with me - most of the clergy drink! Except maybe Baptists.

LOL. It's Arkansas -- most of the clergy ARE Baptists (or CoC/CoG; they don't drink, either.) Less than 8% of the population of Arkansas identifies as a member of a denomination that allows the consumption of alcohol. (Which is not to say that members don't drink, but IME the pastors won't do it in public, at least.)

 

[tvguy]

I went to a Seventh Day Adventist High school for my Freshman year, I can guarantee there is no alcohol at their reunion. Probably no meat either.

 

[ms.yt]

I went to a Seventh Day Adventist High school for my Freshman year, I can guarantee there is no alcohol at their reunion. Probably no meat either.

I could maybe understand this for a private religious school, but not a public school.

 

[PatsMom]

LOL. It's Arkansas -- most of the clergy ARE Baptists (or CoC/CoG; they don't drink, either.) Less than 8% of the population of Arkansas identifies as a member of a denomination that allows the consumption of alcohol. (Which is not to say that members don't drink, but IME the pastors won't do it in public, at least.)

I guess I have finally found something to make me glad I was raised Catholic! Catholic school will leave you with lots of guilt but able to enjoy a drink! My Arkansas experience is very limited - two days at an Air Force Base in Little Rock!

 

[ms.yt]

I guess I have finally found something to make me glad I was raised Catholic! Catholic school will leave you with lots of guilt but able to enjoy a drink! My Arkansas experience is very limited - two days at an Air Force Base in Little Rock!

Well, then you were in the progressive part of the state. We live in a dry county (not the same county where my husband went to school).

 

[PatsMom]

Well, then you were in the progressive part of the state. We live in a dry county (not the same county where my husband went to school).

I had some experience with dry counties in Oklahoma when I lived there! That is why I knew the Baptists didn't drink. They tried to save me many times when I lived there.

I would vote to not attend but if my husband really wanted to go he would have to agree to smuggling in at least one shot just to be spiteful!

 

[Andtototoo]

The only way I'd go to another reunion is if massive amounts of alcohol were involved. LOL

I'd have a serious problem voluntarily attending an event where someone else was dictating what I could or could not drink. I don't do well when someone else imposes their values on me. It's not that I'm a big drinker -- I have maybe 5 drinks per year -- but it's the principle of the thing.

 

[Traveliz]

If the reunion is held in a venue that sells alcohol I can about bet the waiters and waitresses will be offering alcohol and running tabs/selling separately. This is where the venues make quite a bit of money and I cannot imagine they will refuse sells.

Now if it is in a catering hall that doesn't have a bartender it might be different but seriously... I can't remember which reunion you said this is but presumably you are all in your thirties by now so I would think you could decide individually if you think alcohol consumption is appropriate.

Liz

 

[DWGal210]

Yeah, that's weird.

I was raised Catholic & have seen priests have a beer or drink at a wedding. Heck, a priest is a good family friend of ours & he makes the BEST margaritas!!