Not only did Hardinge's son Chad Easterday oblige, he brought along a girlfriend to enjoy the festivities, she said.
The Dick family transcended the expected fare of hot dogs and hamburgers and prepared traditional family favorites. "We try to make it special," she said.
Hardinge prepared her special spinach salad for the reunion to go with the main course of fried tenderloin made by Ernie and Jane Fainniff Jr. of Hagerstown.
After eating, children and adults spent time playing games such as the Pony Express, a relay game and then relaxing with some songs sung by Hardinge and others.
The winner of the race was presented with a gilded sneaker fashioned into a trophy.
"It's quite an honor," said Hardinge.
At Hagerstown's Municipal Stadium, a lively crowd watched the Suns beat the Cape Fear Crocs 1-0 Sunday afternoon.
Cindy Phillips of Falling Waters, W.Va., came to the stadium with family and friends because they are big Suns fans and wanted to see the last game of the season, she said.
She said the game was a pleasant way to enjoy the outdoors.
Her family has watched the Suns play about six times this season, she said.
At the stadium, lines for the concession stands were long as fans waited for the last Suns hot dogs and French fries of the 2000 home season.
The Hagerstown Sun's mascot Jay Jay strolled around the stadium making friends and holding hands with plenty of interested children.
The baseball game offered a little of everything for the Murray family of Hagerstown, said Kathleen Murray.
Murray said her family usually divides up during the game with she and her daughters spending time at the stadium's jungle gym and her husband and sons watching the game.
A Suns family coupon made the game affordable too, she said.
At Hagerstown's City Park, plenty of people were using grills to cook and take advantage of the sunny weather.
Children scrambled over the playground toys, screaming with pleasure while many adults played Frisbee and took a stroll through the scenic park.
The Dairy Queen on Dual Highway was a hot spot on Monday with a steady stream of customers, said a store employee.
A long line of people waiting for their hot fudge sundaes and banana splits could be seen all day as well as long lines of cars at the drive-through.
