Plant City High School’s Class of 2003 will celebrate its 10-year reunion this weekend with a plethora of activities. Carrying a “Travel” theme, the reunion not only will be a chance to celebrate high school years but also how far the Class of 2003 has gone post-graduation.
“A lot of people have left Plant City and have been traveling to different places,” organizer Christina Kruse said.
Kruse is one of them. She has been living in Puerto Rico for two years working in the hospitality industry. Kruse hasn’t been back to Plant City since she left to go to college at the University of West Florida.
“I definitely think 10-year reunions are important,” Kruse said. “Unfortunately, we live in a Facebook world. A lot of contact you make with old friends on Facebook is superficial.
“It will be good to see them face to face,” Kruse said. “It’s an aspect of human life. You don’t want to live on a computer.”
The reunion will kick off with a casual event July 26, at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse, in Brandon. The gathering will start at 7 p.m., and children are welcome. A cornhole tournament and line dancing will begin at 8 p.m.
“We just thought it’d be a fun location,” Kruse said. “It’s casual. Wear your boots; wear your jeans; bring the kids.”
The fun continues the next day, with a family day and kickball tournament from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27, at the Mike E. Sansone Community Park, in Plant City. There will be a bounce house for the kids.
Later that evening, attendees will enjoy a semi-formal reception from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Sun ‘n Fun Museum, in Lakeland. Southern-style food will be served, and Plant City alum Casey Stidham will perform live music.
The reunion will conclude with a brunch at 10 a.m. July 28, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Lakeland.
“If anyone stayed the night, you’re welcome to come have breakfast with us,” Kruse said.
Kruse has been planning the reunion for months via Internet and telephone, and recruited a group of locals to help with the process. Each committee member was assigned a different event to organize.
“We want people to come out and have a great time and reconnect,” Kruse said. “We were a pretty awesome class. A lot of us grew up together.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
SCHEDULE
DINNER AND FUN
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, July 26
WHERE: Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse, 9847 E. Adamo Drive, Brandon
KICKBALL TOURNAMENT AND FAMILY DAY
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 27
WHERE: Mike E. Sansone Park, 1702 N. Park Road, Plant City
RECEPTION
WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 27
WHERE: Sun ‘n Fun Museum, 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland
BRUNCH
WHEN: 10 a.m. Sunday, July 28
WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn Lakeland, 3839 Don Emerson Drive, Lakeland
TICKETS
Tickets are available at payitsquare.com/collect-page/11216. Send your photos and post-graduation bio to pchs2003.reunion@gmail.com. For more information, visit sites.google.com/site/pchs2003reunion.
