This would have been big weekend

    Saturday of Memorial Day weekend is always a big one in Imperial.
    It’s the date annually set for Chase County High School’s alumni banquet and recognition of honor classes—this year that would be those graduating in the years ending in “0.”
    However, due to the state restrictions on large groups due to COVID-19, the May 23 banquet has been postponed.
    Alumni Association President Marlon Kunnemann said officers have tentatively set an alternate date for the banquet later this fall on Sept. 5, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
    “That’s our plan if the state lets us,” Kunnemann said this week.
    He is quite disappointed this weekend’s banquet is off for now.
    “I am disappointed to not have it because we like to recognize those honor classes,” he said.
    “I really do enjoy the banquet. It takes a lot of planning by four or five people but it’s really a fun thing,” he added.
    Being born and raised here, Kunnemann said he usually knows just about everyone attending, or at least their families.
    If the banquet is able to be held Labor Day weekend, it will be at the Imperial city gym instead of the fairgrounds. That’s due to the annual Labor Day Auction, which is still on the schedule for now.
    Kunnemann said officers will be watching what happens with state guidelines and how much the large group restrictions are eased by later this summer.