A 40th anniversary Raiderette reunion was held when the Raiders defeated New England 27-20 on ESPN's Sunday Night Football on November 17, 2002.
Raiderettes representing six decades will reunite for a 50th Celebration of Football's Fabulous Females on Sunday, October 21, when the Oakland Raiders face the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum.
Raiderettes, who served on the prestigious pom-pom and public relations unit in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990, 2000s and this new decade, including the latest edition, will gather for a weekend that will culminate with a pre-game and halftime performance during the Raiders vs. Jaguars game.
Raiderette Reunion weekend will also include a gala dinner/dance where members of past and present will gather to recapture old times and share moments with new and old friends. On display at the event will be old uniforms and collages of pictures furnished by the Raiderettes.
"Only those who have had the opportunity to be a Raiderette know the excitement, friendship and hard work that are all a part of being a member of this team," said Raiderette Director Jeanette Thompson, herself a one-time member of the squad. "Having the chance to reunite and celebrate that with six decades of women is phenomenal. It's like a family reunion!"
Thompson along with choreographer/coordinator Shawna Zimmerman and assistant choreographer Laura Guillory will lead a rehearsal using music from and a routine for each of the six decades. During the performance, each decade will feature separate performances and then all participants, ranging from teenagers to women in their 70s, will perform a finale.
Over the years, one of the most valued items has been the annual Raiderette calendar. The Raiderettes have held photo shoots in such picturesque locales as resorts in Hawaii, mansions in Northern California, photo studios in Alameda, as well as beaches in Northern and Southern California.
The Raiderettes have also been featured in documentaries that aired on ESPN and the NFL Network, and they have made appearances on popular television shows including Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight, and numerous game shows.
The reunion is sure to bring back many fond memories for returning Raiderettes and will no doubt create many more.
