Initiated on Palm Sunday 1966, the “Family and Friends Reunion” is known today as the “Easter Picnic”

Family Reunions were a rich tradition of both the Perry and Woodroof Family in and around Nashville during the early 1900’s up to 1957 when our family moved to California to start a new life. In the early years, our families dressed up in their “Sunday Best Clothes” (suits and dresses) while attending the reunions.

They had professional photographers to record the occasion. Well known for great food and drink and opportunity to “catch-up” while visiting with all the relatives from near and far. Pictures (below and bottom right) of Owens/Perry family taken at home on Lickton Pike near Nashville about 1936.

Group photo of children and adults, with boys wearing white shirts and dark pants, girls in dresses, and men in suits, taken outdoors in front of a brick building.

The Easter Picnic was started by my mother, Emogene Montgomery (one of the Perry girls – lower photo on left, back row: Clarice, Emogene, Christine, Dorothy and Virginia. Margie between Dudley and Docia with Aubrey, Bill, Steve and Sandra in 1945 at Perry Grandparents home in Nashville – middle bottom row) at Santiago Park in 1966, Santa Ana, California.

After two years, it was moved to Pioneer Park in Garden Grove (Harbor and Chapman) where it remained for several years. Always conducted on Palm Sunday the week before Easter.

In 1971 the Easter Picnic was moved to our Fountain Valley home and Stone Crest Park. At this location, we used an Elementary School Playground adjacent to Stone Crest Park to conduct a softball game.

In 1993 the Easter Picnic was moved to our home in Bonsall and remained there for ten years. There were a few Easter Picnics held in Escondido at Felicita Park.

Beginning in 2003, the Easter Picnic has been held at Stage Coach Park in Carlsbad. A common theme of family reunions held in Tennessee and California have much in common: lots of games for young and old, food and drink, and lots of visiting with family and friends from near and far. One notable difference (pre-1957 versus post 1966) is the dress code which is now casual California style suited for warm SoCal weather.

Since 1966 there has been one rain out; which did not halt the Easter Picnic, we held the egg hunt in our bedroom – two shifts;-)

1978

Fountain Valley 1978

Aerial view of a large estate with a house, swimming pool, manicured lawn, and colorful flower beds, surrounded by trees and landscaped gardens.

Bonsall, CA 1993

A young woman and an elderly woman smiling and holding a certificate or paper in a cozy indoor setting, with other people sitting in the background.

Laurie Presenting Award to Grammy (Emogene)

A group of old men and young women posing outdoors on grass with hills, rocks, a fence, and houses in the background. Text above reads 'Old guys vs. young girls'. A green leaf graphic with yellow text says 'Happy Easter' in the top right corner.

Bonsall

Group of nine people, including six women, one man, and four children, posing outdoors in front of a building with window shutters. Three people are seated on chairs, while the others stand behind them.
A black-and-white photo of eleven people, seven women standing in the back and four men and women sitting in the front, outdoors with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Large group of people gathered outdoors in front of a white building with a window, posing for a group photo. The group includes children, adults, and elderly individuals, some wearing sunglasses and casual clothing.

Bonsall, CA 1993

A large group of people, including adults and children, gathered outside a house for a group photo on a sunny day.
A large group of people, including children, adults, and seniors, gathered on a grassy area outdoors for a group photo on a sunny day.
Five women outdoors on a sunny day, all wearing sunglasses, posing for a group photo on a grassy area with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.
Group of ten people standing outdoors on grass, smiling, with trees and bushes in the background.
Group of young girls and older men outside on a grassy area with a scenic background of hills and rocks, celebrating Easter.
A group of children and adults posing outdoors on grass with a bunny mascot in the center wearing a colorful shirt and sunglasses.
A diverse group of children and adults gathered outdoors around a long table with various items, participating in a community event or celebration.
Children participating in an Easter egg hunt in a park, with many colorful eggs scattered on the grass and families watching in the background.
Children and adults participating in a tug-of-war game on a grassy field in a park, with trees and spectators in the background.
A rectangular chocolate cake decorated with colorful balloons, confetti, and rainbow-colored icing. The cake has a message written in yellow icing: "Celebrating 50 Years of Easter Picnics and Family Night!!"
A group of nine children around a table on a patio, smiling at a celebration or gathering, with plates and drinks on the table.
Two elderly women smiling and sitting close together, one wearing a dark green shirt with floral embroidery and the other in a light pink blouse, in an indoor setting.
Family group celebrating graduation outdoors; woman in cap and gown in the center.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom on their wedding day, standing together indoors with flowers in the background. The bride is wearing a wedding dress and veil, holding a bouquet. The groom is wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie.
A group of men and women dressed in formal attire, gathered outdoors, with some people engaged in conversations.