Bennett FamilyIn Touch · Since 1973
← Back to the main page

Chapter Two · From the Bennett Family History Book

Reunion Themes

Reunion themes were developed to communicate messages about the importance of family and family ties. Each theme reflects the Bennett journey: an idea participants could connect with, meant to make a lasting impression on every generation about the value of family, family gatherings, and family legacy.

Our themes trace back to the 14th reunion in 1987. Each one carries a strong sense of belonging, strength, love, and togetherness.

The Bennett family gathered in yellow reunion t-shirts around gold balloons reading 50
The 50th Bennett Family Reunion, August 2023
  1. 14thAugust 1–3, 1987Keeping Our Family Strong
  2. 15thAugust 6–8, 1988Strength in Numbers
  3. 16thAugust 1989Families Are Forever
  4. 17thAugust 4–6, 1990The Ties That Bind
  5. 18thAugust 3–5, 1991Homecoming
  6. 19thAugust 1–3, 1992Bennett Men: Reclaiming Our Family
  7. 20thJuly 31 – August 2, 1993Rooted and Grounded in LoveGreenville proclaimed July 31, 1993 “Bennett Reunion Day”
  8. 21stAugust 6–8, 1994Theme not yet recorded
  9. 22ndAugust 6–8, 1995Theme not yet recorded
  10. 23rdAugust 3, 1996The Blessedness of Unity
  11. 24th1997Theme not yet recorded
  12. 25thAugust 1–3, 1998Celebrating a Legacy of Love, Commitment, and Friendship
  13. 26thJuly 31 – August 2, 1999Honoring Our Past
  14. 27thAugust 4–7, 2000Preserving Our Past… Embracing Our FutureColumbia, Maryland
  15. 28thAugust 4–6, 2001Celebrating the Journey
  16. 29thAugust 3–5, 2002One Family Under God
  17. 30th2003Theme not yet recorded
  18. 31st2004Family Leaving an ImprintCruise to Nassau, Bahamas
  19. 32ndAugust 2005He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
  20. 33rdAugust 4–6, 2006This Is the Legacy
  21. 34thAugust 5, 2007Strong Roots… Strong FruitsAtlanta, Georgia
  22. 35th2008Celebrating the Legacy: Moving Forward Hand in HandDate being confirmed against the reunion bulletin
  23. 36thAugust 1, 2009Remembering Our Ancestors: “The Torch Is Passed, The Legacy Continues”
  24. 37th2010Theme not yet recordedAtlanta, Georgia · Chair V. Kelly Bennett, Co-Chair Dion Blassingame
  25. 38th2011Theme not yet recorded
  26. 39th2012Theme not yet recorded
  27. 40th201340 Years of Faith, Family, and Fellowship
  28. 41st2014Legacy of Family, Faith, and Love
  29. 42ndJuly 31 – August 2, 2015Theme not yet recorded
  30. 43rdAugust 5–7, 2016One Family, One Love, One Legacy
  31. 44thAugust 4–6, 2017One Family, One Love, One Legacy
  32. 45thAugust 3–5, 2018One Family, One Love, One LegacyCruise to Cozumel, Mexico
  33. 46thAugust 2–4, 2019One Family, One Love, One Legacy
  34. 47th2020No reunion heldCancelled due to COVID restrictions
  35. 48th2021No reunion heldCancelled due to COVID restrictions
  36. 49th2022One Family, One Love, One LegacyAbbreviated park and church gathering due to COVID restrictions
  37. 50thAugust 4–6, 2023One Family, One Love, One LegacyOur 50th reunion
  38. 51stAugust 2–4, 2024Where Generations Collide and Love Multiplies
  39. 52ndAugust 1–3, 2025Reclamation: Rooted in Love
  40. 53rdJuly 31 – August 2, 2026Rooted in Love: Uniting GenerationsThe first Bennett Family Parade

Some years are missing a theme or exact date. If you have a program, bulletin, or t-shirt from one of those reunions, please share it with the History Committee at bennett-family-email@googlegroups.com.

“I pray that you will forever embrace these themes as meaningful messages meant just for you to embrace, celebrate, and love one another and to remember the rich and lasting legacy of the Bennett Family.”