Purple and gold dominated as hundreds gathered to say goodbye to the old Issaquah High School building at the May 29 “Farewell to the Old School” celebration.

Alumni and current students packed into the gym for an hour-long memorandum of the school’s 45-year history.

Even some of the class of 1963 showed up.

“They were here for three months before graduating,” IHS Principal Paula Phelps said.

Mike Barker was one of those ‘63 graduates who came to the festivities.

“I missed going to see my school,” said Barker’s wife, Tamra. “So I told him ‘You’re going.’”

“I haven’t been here since graduation,” Barker said. “It’s neat to see all of the friends that I don’t remember.”

For those curious about the changing times from the school’s opening to the present, emcees Bonnie Young, current ASB president and Christian Renne, next year’s ASB President, began the night with some facts about 1962.

“In 1962, the media first mentioned the ‘personal computer,’” Renne said. “Some of you older graduates might still not know what that is.”

The evening was all about tying the past and the present, and many activities were about uniting the generation gaps.

Past and present cheerleaders gathered in the front to sing the fight song and everyone participated in a game of “Stand up if … “ where many generations could relate to playing sports at the school, a favorite teacher or walking the gummy halls.

The choir also sang a medley of ‘60s songs, including “Wild one,” “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to,” and “My boyfriend’s back.”

Teachers and students also put together two videos, one filled with memories of the school and another that was a tour of the school set to music performed live by the high school band and orchestra.

The evening ended with tours of the schools by cheerleaders for those who were interested.

“There were a lot of good memories here,” class of ‘63 alum Bill Shultz said.