Using a hotel space is always a good idea. That way you can use their meeting rooms, banquet halls, food services...you get the idea, and no one is stuck cooking for 25 or 250 people. When folks get tired, they go to their room. A bar is usually close or alcohol can be catered to the event. Most larger hotels have a catering service. You will have to charge a fee for the big party event, and then allow each to provide their own room fees. If they dont want to stay at the hotel you chose, let them bunk elsewhere, and arrive for the big party.

Think of games. HAve folks bring as many photos as they can from their own lives. Make sure you have music from that era.

Not to derail the subject but did you get the daycare off the ground? I would hate to see you run yourself into the ground.

Hey! I know, get a group to help you organize it. Pick two or three that are good at it, and you can save each other many steps.

This sounds like so much fun! enjoy!