Coaches, players, and others directly connected to the Pella Football program under the leadership of its longtime head coach gathered to celebrate the upcoming retirement of Jay McKinstrey.

Following fireworks and tributes throughout Friday’s regular season finale against Gilbert, a special celebration was organized by Sam and Zach Vande Weerd with Carson Wealth. The father-son duo said 150 people connected to Pella football over the years RSVP’d for chocolate malts Saturday afternoon at Pella High School.

Find a special feature about McKinstrey’s coaching rivals discussing his impact here, and hear more from his former players and coaches this coming Friday on 92.1 KRLS.