St. Viator to kick off 60th anniversary with block party
St. Viator High School will begin a yearlong celebration recognizing the 60th anniversary of the school's opening with a Mass and block party Saturday, Sept. 18. All alumni, current and past families, friends, and neighbors are invited to attend.
The evening will begin with an outdoor Mass on the front lawn of the school at 5 p.m. The liturgy will be celebrated by the school's new president, the Rev. Dan Lydon, a 1973 graduate of the school. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair for seating.
Attendees will then gather in the back parking lot for the Block Party from 6-9:30 p.m. The event will feature food, drinks, and live music by the Sofa Kings. Included in the celebration will be a tent set aside for reunions for the classes of 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991 and 2000.
Saint Viator alumni relations manager Krystal Harris suggests registering for the events online to streamline the arrival process.
"We hope to have a nice early fall night for our community to enjoy, and are looking forward to welcoming all generations back to Saint Viator," Harris said. "There are various registration packages available on our website and signing up now will allow guests to easily enter the block party."
The registration site can be found at one.bidpal.net/svhsblockparty21/ticketing.
Harris extended a special invitation to the alumnae of Sacred Heart of Mary High School.
"When St. Viator opened in 1961, Sacred Heart was under construction as well," she said referring to the all-girls school that ultimately merged with St. Viator in 1987. "The Sacred Heart girls actually attended classes in a separate part of St. Viator until their building was ready, and the two schools shared a close relationship throughout our history."
In accordance with current COVID protocols, all activities will be held outdoors and the setup will allow for appropriate distancing for attendees. Mask wearing is recommended in areas such as by food and beverage vendors.
For more information, visit www.saintviator.com/about/60th-anniversary. The school is at 1213 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights.