For the first time since 2018, the Thomas-Bridges Association and its wide family tree will take root this weekend in Trigg County for its heavily-anticipated 51st Annual Family Reunion.
Janie Sumner, retiring president of the association, said a reception was held last year as a global pandemic began to ebb.
But this weekend, and its full calendar of events, is the real McCoy — and something Sumner said the families are very much looking forward to.
More than a reunion, Sumner said its a perfect time for kin to reconnect not just with people, but with places and things. Places like Trigg County. And things like family heirlooms.
The Trigg County Senior Citizens Center will serve as the main conduit of celebration, and festivities begin at 6 PM Friday with a “Welcome Home Wiener Roast.” Sponsored by Lois McBride Haywood, Sumner said this is the perfect time for family socializing — and serves as the last chance for mandatory advanced tickets to Sunday’s annual luncheon. It’s $17 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under.
Saturday is jam-packed. Those interested are encouraged to meet at 9:45 AM for a tour of the D.J. Everett III Radio Museum at WKDZ, located at 19 DJ Everett Drive in Cadiz. It’s a historical ride through the decades, in a pair of rooms filled with radio relics.
By 6 PM Saturday, events will shift back to the Trigg County Senior Center, with a meeting of the Thomas-Bridges Association Board of Directors, a Members Business Meeting and a 7 PM musical performance from “Rock of Ages.” Members are encouraged to attend the meeting, where Sumner said she’ll be retiring as president following six non-consecutive years of service, while the public is encouraged to attend the musical performance.
Following a small devotional, lunch will be served at 12:30 PM Sunday at the Trigg County Senior Citizens Center. A lunch program begins at 1:30 PM, and will consists of honors, recognition, and a memorial service for all who have passed since the last reunion.
As always, the reunion will conclude with a group rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Throughout all of this, Sumner said there will be a silent auction replete with materials new and old — including books, antiques and more. Among its many contributions to the Trigg County community, the Thomas-Bridges Association finances three $1,000 scholarships annually to graduating Wildcats, and tries to maintain strong relationships with the Daughters of American Revolution and the John L. Street Library.
Like everyone attending this weekend, Sumner’s ties to each family are strong.
According to family history, the association serves the descendants of James Thomas, Sr. and Drury Bridges — two of Trigg County’s early pioneer settlers.
Thomas and Bridges moved from North Carolina to west Kentucky, with Drury arriving in 1804 claiming 84 acres of Beechy Fork Creek, and James arriving in 1806 staking out 200 acres of land at what’s now the intersection of Donaldson and Cadiz roads.
Thomas had seven children, and three of them married into Bridges’ family, and so begat the dynasty.
Founded in 1971, the Thomas-Bridges Association has a membership of 500 descendants. All family, members or not, are invited for this weekend’s affairs.
