Despite gloomy, rainy weather, current and former Egypt residents gathered for a reunion Sept. 28 at Egypt Memorial Park, 4548 Main St.

More than 700 people joined the “I Grew Up in Egypt” Facebook community and learned of the reunion plans. They were all invited to come together in celebration of the park and all of the memories they made in their formative years.

Beside paying tribute to their beloved park and the things they learned there that helped them grow into successful adults, the gathering was designed to meet and reminisce with others who grew up in Egypt, many of whom relocated out of the Whitehall village.

The celebration began 11 a.m. and ran until 6 p.m.

Organizers had a rich agenda that included a memory lane, door prizes and displays of memorabilia. Coffee and pastries were served. The Egypt Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7293 Honor Guard provided a welcome and flag salute around noon.

Kornfeinds Market, of Egypt, provided a buffet luncheon, which was well received by attendees.

A Whitehall Historical Preservation Society representative presented the history of Egypt. Despite the inclement weather, the hall was full of attendees to hear the historical lore about Egypt Memorial Park. The park was dedicated in 1948 to honor the men and women who served in World War II. There was a question-and-answer session after the presentation.

The Whitehall High School Marching Zephyr Band and dance team then entertained the attendees.

After the presentations, attendees enjoyed bingo, corn hole and dancing to music from D.H. Productions. Because of the inclement weather, some other games, including basketball, hula hoops, hopscotch, pickle ball and more, were canceled.

There was a planned cake walk and ice cream. Door prize winners were called later in the afternoon.

Several of those present hoped that this becomes an annual event.

The reunion coordinator, Suzann Walter, and Nancy Madeja, an event volunteer, said they were delighted with the attendance of more than 200, despite the cool, rainy weather. Walter and her brother, Tom, grew up in Egypt but now live in Delaware and Connecticut, respectively.

Ann and Kevin Hansen, Karen Beidleman and Brian Costenbader enjoyed the fellowship of their peers, who share at least one thing in common — either they or their spouse attended activities during their childhood offered at Egypt Memorial Park.

Delighted attendees spanned six generations: the Silent Generation (1928-45), Baby Boomers (1946-64), Generation X (1965-80), Millennials also called Gen Y (1981-96), Generation Z (1997-2010) and the current generation of youngsters, Generation Alpha (2010-24).

This diversity of age was evident with some of the planned activities tailored to the generational differences. A Silent Generation member and retired schoolteacher, Eugene Coval was popular as several of his former students stopped to chat with him.

Karen Zelinsky Walbert created an Ode to the Park, which helped sum up the feelings shared by the attendees.

“The park holds more memories than any of us can remember or imagine. Some of us were there at the beginning. Love all of you who came after.”