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Huge Family Reunion at Dan Ryan Woods Thrives for last Half-Century

 Members of the Bell, Brown and Jones families have held a family reunion every year but one since 1963 at Dan Ryan Woods.
Members of the Bell, Brown and Jones families have held a family reunion every year but one since 1963 at Dan Ryan Woods.
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Cynthia Harris; Forest Preserve District of Cook County

ASHBURN — Cynthia Harris' family tree spreads far and wide, throughout Chicago, the Midwest and beyond.

But once a year, Harris and the rest of her aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other blood brothers and sisters — along with in-laws — converge at the Dan Ryan Woods on the Far Southwest Side.

What was started by Harris' great-grandmother, Mary Jones, in 1963 has been an annual event — now called the "Bell, Jones, Brown Family Reunion" — at a Chicago forest preserve since. It's been at Dan Ryan Woods every year but one.

This year's reunion is Saturday at the woods' Grove 15 near 83rd Street and Western Avenue.

Justin Breen details how the reunion began as a humble affair:

 Members of the Bell, Brown and Jones families have held a family reunion every year but one since 1963 at Dan Ryan Woods. Last year, the families celebrated the 50th anniversary of the event with a special cake.
Members of the Bell, Brown and Jones families have held a family reunion every year but one since 1963 at Dan Ryan Woods. Last year, the families celebrated the 50th anniversary of the event with a special cake.
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Cynthia Harris

"It's a day of fellowship, to be together, to show a lot of love for each other," said Harris, of Ashburn. "I'm 35, and I've never missed one. For a lot of us, it's the one day we can enjoy each other."

The first family reunion had a few dozen guests, but that has expanded to 150-plus in the last decade. Many family members still live in Chicago in neighborhoods like Ashburn, Chatham, Marquette Park and Englewood, Harris said, but others travel from as far away as Kansas City and Atlanta.

Harris, who has a master's in training and development from Roosevelt University, said there's even a 10-person committee that plans for catering and entertainment.

Harris said the committee tries to keep the food bill under $1,000. This year's items include chicken, pasta salads, spaghetti, corn, ribs and a variety of cakes. Cases of bottled water and juice boxes also are provided.

The reunion, which lasts from about noon to dusk, is packed with pastimes. For the adults, a highlight is the 16-inch, no-gloves softball game between teams of the younger versus older males. Harris said the more mature folks usually prevail. There's also a DJ playing many types of music.

For the kids — and there always are many, as Harris herself has 11 nieces and nephews — a large air jumper is provided. Harris said a clown likely will be in attendance as well.

"We have a lot of activities to keep the kids occupied," said Harris, a Roseland native and Simeon Career Academy graduate. "You definitely have to keep an eye out for them."

Harris said Dan Ryan Woods' Grove 15 provides ample space and a familiar setting. The only time the BJB reunion wasn't there was in the early 2000s, when Calumet Woods was the site. Harris said she noticed an immediate drop in attendance, so they have returned to Dan Ryan Woods every year since.

Harris said traditions are extremely important to her family members. Every year, a plaque or certificate is created to honor the oldest living guests. Every five years, special shirts have been made to mark the event's timeline. In 2013, for the 50th anniversary, black-based, gold-lettered shirts, wristbands and key chains were handed out to each person who arrived.

Harris has been overjoyed to see BJB continue throughout the years and reach the next generations of her family.

"I hope it never ends," she said.

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