Quite often friends talk of the dreams of holding reunions and gatherings only to see plans never come to reality. That isn’t the case for one Laurel group and instead of interest dwindling, support grows each year.
The Mad Jack’s 3rd Annual Reunion took place Saturday night at the Laurel Hotel and Conference Center. A nightclub in downtown Laurel, Mad Jack’s was open from 1979 until the mid -1980s. Reunion organizer Lane Hilbun said the club and its era of disco and flashy lights created long-lasting friendships, marriages, and other relationships.
“We have a lot of old friends that kept in touch over the years,” Hilbun said. “Back in ‘05 people started asking me, ‘What happened to our old music? Why don’t we get together anymore?’ I said I’d do it, but if I’m going to do it, we’re going to do it right. We started working towards it.”
Hilbun said the first year’s reunion in 2005 drew more than 300 people. Some Mad Jack’s faithful traveled from as far away as south Florida and Indiana. The reunion not only offers a time of fellowship, but also the music from that era.
“It’s just the old fun dancing music,” Hilbun said. “It’s giving everybody an excuse to see everybody, have fun, and visit.”
Besides offering the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, there is a purpose to the reunions. It’s also used as a fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League.
“I like seeing where the money is going,” Hilbun said.
A former employee of Mad Jack’s, Hilbun said the nightclub was special because it created a setting for the period in which he and his friends grew up.
“Just a great time in our life growing up,” he said. “Good friends.”
Hilbun estimated a crowd of more than 300 would show up Saturday night. There are also plans for the reunions to continue, and maybe expand.
“We’re tentatively going to do a fourth one and a New Years Eve party here at the hotel,” he said.
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Photo/Jason Niblett
Friends gather for Mad Jack's reunion
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