Event News

We are now targeting Thursday May 16, 2024 (we were originally trying for 2021, then 2022) or a Thursday in the Fall of 2023

We need lead time to sell tickets,  and build interest so that we can succesfully plan a venue to meet expected attendance. Venues require a commitment or deposit and none of us are going to financially commit for the fear of underselling attendance. It would also be nice to have the school administration's cooperation to hold an open house. The Pandemic uncertainty also contributes to the risk of locking in a date

Simple Economics to keep the ticket price as low as possible. Unfortunately weddings book up most venues on Friday and Saturday and command a much larger facility rental fee, which is the single largest portion of the ticket price.

Based on expected demand of over 1,000 in attendance, there are very few facilities that can handle this size. We will be entering into an agreement with the famous and recently renovated Guild Inn to host our alumni if we can get substantial pre-event numbers. A particular attraction is their adjacent walking park and covered Patio Terrace weather permitting. Click the link below to see the Guild Inn web site and note photos 5, 11 and 25 in their Photo Gallery.

https://guildinnestate.com/

Alternatively, a smaller event venue TBD will be used for 600 people or less

Electronic Check-in will begin at 7:30 PM and the event will run until 1:00 AM

Past experience has taught us that people want a mix, mingle, meet and greet format so that conversations can occur. Indeed the room "din" can get noisy with an expected crowd of over 1,000. We will consider the idea of some music after 10:30 AM when the crowd usually thins. We do have some availability to show video presentations.

This is an entirely casual affair. The adjacent outdoor waterfront park area and Terrace Patio can be cool if you wish to stroll with appropriate dress for the weather (e.g. windbreaker)

This is an upscale event and not a drunk fest - We are not calling it a pub nite however alcoholic beverages will be available for additional purchase at a cash bar. Unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee will be included in our ticket price.

We will have full security in place, and a wristband policy will be put in effect for those wishing to take advantage of the patio, outdoor smoking etc.

There will be table seating of up to about 200 (10 per table), for those that specify they need it - You will be able to indicate that on your profile as we get closer to the event as there will be some reserved seating for senior and special alumni - Some seating will be unreserved "floaters". Seating tables reduce our total capacity and increase our costs , yet we realize not everyone can stand or walk around for 2 hours or more. There will be a combination of seating tables including those with handicapped availability, but the majority of any tables will be high top stand-ups.

We understand from Ontario liquor laws, that food has to be made available due to provisions of their Liquor licence, and this will be served in a number of buffet stations. We are working on those details, and all food will be included in the ticket price. Tentative plans include a pasta station, grilled cheese, and Poutine (not quite Cedarbrae Cafeteria food!), but unfortunately no Margaret's donuts.

We will be working on a block of preferred rates for that evening with a suitable TBD Hotel.  As soon as we know that rate, we will announce and publish it here. If you wish to take advantage of that, we will collect your need in advance. Usually a hotel will hold that rate until about 2-3 weeks before the event. We are looking for a hotel that can run a shuttle to the venue, or it is a cheap Uber ride.

We are still doing our budgeting and forecast, and will announce that when we are closer to selling tickets.  This will not be a cheap $5-$20 cover charge unlike the "old days", as HST kind of killed that. Venues like the Guild Inn are pricey however this won't be an $90+ plus event either. Every effort is being made to make this as reasonable as possible. We will attempt to keep alcohol prices down, and provide free soft drinks, tee and coffee.

This is a not for profit event. Our ticket price will not include any fundraising component. If there are any excess proceeds, they will be kept for future use or donated to the school. The organizers will provide a full transparency and accounting to anyone that may be distrustful of our intents. We would welcome any ideas from participants to lead any fundraising ideas/auctions/draws, and these would be voluntary choices for attendees to participate in.

We have not coordinated that with the School's Administration as of yet. During the 50th anniversary, the school was indeed open, and the results of our discussions with the TDSB will be announced the closer we get to the ticket sales date.

You can see who is coming on the Who is Here page however, a lot of alumni believe that nobody will know them or remember them - it's quite amazing how many people knew who you were, but did not really talk to you during the Cedarbrae years. This is the time to renew, reconnect, rehash old memories, remember when, and even meet new friends that you have something in common. Come out and enjoy learning about the journeys of others. Nobody cares about how you have aged or your appearance - it's the heart and mind that matters!

Besides, we throw a good party!  If you missed the 50th, - here's the youtube video one more time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZM9A1WwZjs

We need many volunteers but the best way you can help, is to look at the page - Who is here. If you don't see someone you believe should be here, contact them by social media such as facebook, or email or text them and provide this link. We need as many registered members here to express interest before we can even think about selling tickets.

We will need volunteers for a) meet and greet at the event front door in rotations, and scan tickets for entry b) act as their class representative for a group of years to arrange meet-ups  c) help collect any monies and names for tickets in various regions of the GTA, where someone wants to pay by cash rather than e-transfer or credit card and d) work with the School's Administration on coordinating an opening for a school tour.