BELLAIRE — Sixty-five different graduating classes will be represented Saturday, when Big Reds of all ages celebrate the 100th anniversary of their beloved Bellaire High School.

Ed Good, a 1977 graduate and Bellaire High School Alumni Association trustee, said organizers have been planning for the all-class reunion for two years; he even traveled to Orrville, Ohio, which has a tradition of all class reunions, to learn about best practices for hosting such an event.

Good said the cornerstone of the BHS building was laid in 1924, and the school opened its doors to students in 1925. The Class of 1926 was the first to graduate there.

This weekend, alumni from classes dating back to 1943 and to as recently as 2025 will be participating in the fun.

“We have people coming … from as far as Germany, California, Florida … Georgia, South Carolina, Arizona. They’re coming in from everywhere,” Good said. “We’re expecting a good turnout. The weather’s going to be nice.”

Everything begins at 10:15 a.m. with an opening ceremony on Alumni Way.

Each class will also have the opportunity to set up tents to gather under at Union Square Park. There will also be a main tent, first aid stations and security on hand.

Good said there will be food trucks available and live bands on stage between All-American Restaurant and the former Berman’s Building from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Belmont Street will be shut down from the Carnes Senior Apartments to First National Bank until noon; at noon, the road closure will extend down to the stone bridge.

“Everybody’s welcome,” he added. “You don’t have to be a graduate of Bellaire.”

He noted that the village’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will be in effect throughout the event, meaning that attendees will be able to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages in the specified area.

“The Archives Room (of the school) will be open from 11 (a.m.) to 3 (p.m.),” Good said. “We’ve had a number of people request to go in the high school. And if you see the second floor there, everybody wants, for some reason, everybody wants to see Room … 222. That was a long study hall.”

He noted that Dan Frizzi is a local historian who will be available to help people visiting the archives.

Good urges attendees to support businesses within the village while they are there.

He also thanked numerous officials and sponsors who helped to make the event possible. From cleaning Ohio 7 ahead of the event to providing golf carts to assist attendees and contributing funding, many entities contributed to the cause. Among them are: Bellaire Mayor Ed Marling, Police Chief J.J. Watson, JB Green Team, Save Rite, Frizzi Law Office, Chirp’s Auto Body, Bellaire Touchdown Club, Belmont Savings Bank, Sons of Italy, Bellaire American Legion, West Texas Roadhouse, Neffs American Legion, Belmont County Veterans Service Office, Belmont County Tourism, the Ohio Department of Transportation and Cardinal Operating Co.

“I do want to give a shout out to Mayor Marling and Chief Watson,” he said. “They have been absolutely great to work with, extremely cooperative. You know, we’ve had a great open line of communication. We have a clear understanding of what’s expected of us … We’ve had tremendous community support.”