Forget the red and green. When Alexander High School graduates reunite for “Christmas in July” they’ll be decking the halls in black and gold.

Graduates of Alexander High School and others will reunite July 22-24 for “Christmas in July: Black and Gold Stands Forever.”

That’s the theme of the reunion weekend, held every other year in Brookhaven to celebrate the historic alma mater. Alexander High School served as Brookhaven’s black high school until integration in 1970. At that time, the students were merged into Brookhaven High School and Alexander became a junior high school.

The black and gold banners are up and the preparations have all been made, said committee chairman Phyllis Watkins and secretary Sherry Merchant.

A parade downtown on the morning of July 23 will be one of the highlights for the public, with lineup set for 9 a.m. in front of the downtown post office, followed by the start of the parade at 10 a.m.

Also free and open to the public without tickets are the welcome and opening program at 6 p.m. Friday at Alexander Junior High School and the general assembly program Saturday at 1 p.m., also at Alexander Junior High.

Tickets for other events are $75 and are available during early registration, Thursday, July 21, at 2 p.m. at AJHS and also Friday, July 22, at 9 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at other times by calling Merchant at 601-754-9975.

Watkins looks forward to the class gatherings each reunion. “It’s a time for the classes to get together and reminisce and share memories,” she said.

The parade is always a big hit each reunion.

Starting at the downtown post office, the parade winds its way through Brookhaven to Alexander Junior High. The parade will include at least one float, a Corvette club from Memphis, individuals and groups, Watkins said. To participate in the parade, call Jan Franklin at 601-695-0690.

A block party with food available from various vendors will begin immediately following the parade. A kids’ play area will be set up nearby with inflatables and other activities available. An assembly program will begin at 1 p.m. with winners of reunion scholarships honored. Erica Nelson received the A.A. Alexander Scholarship, worth $600, while Kyler Wilcher and Ariel Kitchens each received $1,000 through the Reunion Committee Scholarship.

Members of the Class of 1966 will also be honored with their 50-year graduate certificates.

The Black and Gold Ball will be held at the Lincoln Civic Center beginning at 8 p.m. Dress is semi-formal and refreshments will be served.

Evangelist Maxine Dillon of Rhema Word Center will lead a worship service July 24 beginning at 9 a.m. at Alexander Jr. High.

A Sunday dinner is planned for noon at Lincoln Civic Center. Merchant said soul food favorites like fried chicken and pork chops will be served.

Between 200 and 250 people are expected to attend the reunion, Watkins said.

Besides entry into events, those who register also receive a shirt, cap, tote, towel, program book and various gift items.

The reunion weekend began in 1984. It was the late Beatrice Gills’ idea, Watkins said.