33rd Reunion and Annual Meeting - Pensacola Beach, Florida
May 19 - 22, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday Afternoon - Saturday Night - Hospitality Room
As family members arrive Thursday afternoon, the Hospitality Room will be open to welcome them. Please stop in to get your badge and other Reunion materials and greet your fellow cousins. This room will be open to you throughout the reunion and will serve those that wish to delve more deeply into Gaither Genealogy. Bring your computers, family tree, heirlooms, and stories to share and learn from our family history.
Thursday 6:00 P.M to 7:30 P.M - Welcome Pizza Party
You'll enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones at this year's pizza party in the Gaither Hospitality Room. Come and enjoy pizza, sandwiches, appetizers, and a variety of drinks.
Friday Morning - On Your Own
Take this opportunity to tour Pensacola Beach, Santa Rosa Island, or the City of Pensacola Beach. Maybe you want to take a walk along the Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail, tour the Forts of Gulf Islands, or climb the Pensacola Lighthouse. Or maybe, just relax after all that pizza you ate last night. Lunch is on your own this day.
Friday Afternoon Dolphin Cruise - 1:30 P.M to 4:00 P.M.
Enjoy an afternoon Dolphin Cruise in Pensacola Bay and surrounding waters on a 50 foot converted navy launch. With plenty of open deck space, you'll be able to move about for the perfect photo, or take advantage of the shade cover. The crew is very knowledgeable about dolphins and the area marine life, as well as the local and historical landmarks. And the dolphins are sure to entertain! We will leave as a group from the hotel lobby. The dock is a short walk from the hotel, but we'll have cars for those that need transportation. Bring your own snacks and drinks, but no glass containers allowed. Friday evening is on your own, but be sure to stop by the Gaither Hospitality Room.
Saturday Tour - 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Saturday is a big day for the Gaithers in Pensacola. Transportation for today's tour will leave from and return to the hotel. We'll tour the #1 attraction, the National Naval Aviation Museum. This is the world’s largest Naval Aviation museum and one of the most-visited museums in the state of Florida. Share the excitement of Naval Aviation’s rich history and see more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum’s nearly 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds. Lunch at the museum's historic Cubi Bar is included and you'll have time to visit the Blue Angel Gift Shop.
Following the museum visit, we'll visit Veterans Memorial Park and tour "Wall South", a half scale replica of the National Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. The Park includes a WWI Memorial, a WWII Memorial, a Korean War Memorial, and a running series of plaques to honor local warriors who have fallen in the Global War on Terror. There is also a Purple Heart Memorial and a monument to the submarine lifeguards who rescued so many Navy pilots in WWII (including President George Herbert Walker Bush). Most recently, it is home to the Marine Corps Aviation Bell Tower, which has become a popular venue for local veteran's events and ceremonies.
Saturday Night Family Dinner - 6:00 P.M.
Enjoy the evening with everyone you've met on the Reunion's last night. This year's dinner will feature the second annual John Gaither Distinguished Service Award to honor outstanding Society members who have displayed leadership, and enthusiasm for Gaither family history, and a dedication to serving the Society.
Sunday Business Meeting, Farewell Lunch Buffet, and Gift Exchange - 9:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Following the morning business meeting, 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M., a light Family Farewell Lunch will be served in the same room beginning at 11:30 A.M.. Ending the reunion with the traditional gift exchange, you are encouraged to bring something that represents the area where you live. Many love to bring homemade items. And if you don’t wish to take part, it is perfectly okay.
REGISTRATION
CLICK HERE to get the Reunion Registration Form.
Hotel registration is also now open. THIS IS A HIGH-DEMAND, BEACHFRONT HOTEL AND AVAILABILITY OF THE SPECIAL GAITHER RATE IS LIMITED. NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM. CLICK HERE to reserve your room.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions regarding the Reunion and Annual Meeting, please submit the following form. Our event coordinators will respond to your inquiry.