MUSKEGON, Mich. — Kruse Park was packed to the brim on Saturday with about 120 people who all had one thing in common — their family name.
The 100th Toman Family Reunion is taking place from July 12-14 in Muskegon to celebrate a century of family.
Diane Schulz, or Diane Toman Schulz this weekend, is one of the organizers of the reunion.
She said the first documentation ever found of a Toman reunion was from 1914, but they're calling this reunion their 100th.
Schulz said this reunion is a big one.
One of their family members made connections with Tomans who were a part of family reunions 40 years ago but drifted away and this weekend, they were reunited.
"It's pretty exciting, especially as one of the older people," Schulz said. "My dad is 94 and he actually remembers these cousins from way back, and he is thrilled to get reacquainted with them and meet their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. So it's exciting."
The celebration started with a pre-reunion day on Friday where some of the family went to Michigan's Adventure together, had a barbecue and finished the day off with an ice cream sundae party.
On Saturday, the official reunion began.
While the event is family-only, Schulz said there are some exceptions.
"My grandmother used to say, if you come to the reunion one time with a friend who is a Toman and you have a good time, we're putting you on the list and you're expected every year," Schulz said.
Upon arrival, family members got to take photos in a photo booth and sign and put their handprints on a tablecloth.
They could also participate in exclusive family tours of the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse.
There was a short memorial service held for the family on the walkway to the lighthouse.
After this, family members checked in and received a 100th Toman Reunion beach towel, window cling, temporary tattoo, souvenir book and nametag.
The family had lunch together, took a family photo with a drone, played group games, grilled dinner, enjoyed ice cream, held an auction and spent time at the beach.
Schulz said she has her own traditions that make the family reunion special.
"Every year I make a scrapbook of the one day of the family reunion, and I always do it two to three weeks before the reunion," Schulz said. "My cousins say, 'Why don't you do it right after the reunion?' But I wait and I do it right before the next reunion and I fall in love with my family all over again, and it is so fun."
On Sunday, the family will attend church followed by a taco-bar lunch.
"It is worth organizing a family reunion for your family," Schulz said. "The joys that come. It is work and sometimes you have to be very patient because it takes people a little time to get used to the idea of getting together. You've got to encourage people to bury the hatchet sometimes and get together again and just love one another. God made us into families and we should celebrate that."