Poor Economy, High Gas Prices Wreaking Havoc on Annual Family Reunions Across the U.S.

By: Sherrel Wheeler Stewart

Crosby Beene Jr. is the only descendent of Phillip and Lucy Morgan Beene living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but in few days, about 200 family members will travel from as far west as California and as far south as Mississippi to attend the family reunion.

The Fourth of July weekend signaled the start of a busy family reunion season, with thousands of people filling hotels, parks and party halls across the country. According to the AAA, more than 40 million Americans were expected to travel over the holiday. More than 25 percent of those planning to travel said in an earlier survey that they were going to reunions or family gatherings, AAA spokesman Mike Pina told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

But with the high cost of fuel and airfare this summer, folks like those in the Beene family who look forward to the regular gatherings are finding travel alternatives to trim costs. Others are pitching in to help family members make their trek. And still some are sitting it out this year.

Poor Economy, High Gas Prices Wreaking Havoc on Annual Family Reunions Across the U.S....