Just because Millvale High School closed in 1971 doesn't mean the friendships formed there ended as well.

Since 1998, graduates of the high school have been organizing the Millvale Grand Reunion for all classes.

This is the sixth year of the event, which will be held on Saturday (July 12) at the Croatian Center off of Babcock Boulevard on Schitzen Park Road.

The idea for the event came from Ernie Sesti, a graduate of Millvale's class of 1938. Sesti, who will be 90 in April, was simply looking to bring everyone together.

"I used to meet with people who graduated in my year, 1938," Sesti says.

"I saw a lot of other graduates around Millvale who I would greet."

With all his friends and acquaintances, Sesti saw a unique opportunity to bring all the classes together on a regular basis.

The first reunion, in 1998, brought in nearly 750 people. Since then, with the help of a committee, the reunions have averaged about 500 people.

Sesti says people come from all over, including California, Michigan, Florida and New York. He was surprised at how successful it's been since its inception.

Even with the success, some of his old friends have teased him about the amount of work he has put into the event.

"Somebody told me I was nuts for doing it," he says with a laugh.

Don't count Joyce Thomas among those who think he's nuts. Thomas, 57, a graduate of the class of 1968, and a member of the committee, has a great time every year they hold the event. She doesn't see it coming to an end any time soon.

"They're movers and shakers," Thomas explains with a laugh. "As long as they're young at heart, they're going to keep going."

The event starts at noon with hot dogs and snacks and catching up with old friends.

They have dinner around 4 p.m., and eat, drink and mingle the night away.

Tickets are $25 at the door.

"We catch up on old times and old friends," she says. "Millvale was such a small school. We knew everyone in the building in the first place."

One of her fondest memories was the start of football season, and it had nothing to do with winning. Etna, she recalls, was one of the school's biggest rivals. Every year before the season they would burn the Etna doll in effigy.

"We just had such a great time," she says. "Today, kids are in such big schools. I think it lacks some of the camaraderie."

For additional information about the reunion, contact Joyce at 412-486-1673.