have a big send-off

To throw a lively and enthusiastic farewell celebration in honor of someone who is leaving some place or setting off on a new endeavor. The night before I flew back to America, the entire town had a big send-off for me at the local pub. I wasn't expecting them to have a big send-off or anything, but it would have been nice if someone had at least wished me well when I left the company. I knew that leaving was the right decision, but it became bittersweet when I had a big send-off from my former students.