Plant City High School’s Class of 1977 comes together every five years for a reunion, allowing alumni to come back to Plant City — if they aren’t still in the area already — to see old friends and share stories of the good old days.
But Saundra Roach and her team had an idea prior to their last reunion in 2017, opening the door for more than just the class of ’77 to come back and celebrate… a multi-class party that includes several other Plant City classes from the 70’s, held the night before the class of 1977’s official reunion. Following such a great response in 2017, the party will be held later this month prior to the 2022 Class Reunion.
“As we get older and our classes kind of shrink in size, especially after COVID and everything else, we feel like it’s kind of a joyful occasion for us,” Roach said. “Let’s have some fun, let’s catch up and let’s party a little bit.”
The first 70’s party was held in 2017 and had roughly 150 attendees, however Roach expects even more to be in attendance this year. Assisted by her team of 15 or so volunteers, along with donations from sponsors, the group was able to rent out a space at the Hilton Garden Inn at the Lakeland Lindor Airport and additionally raise several thousands of dollars worth of appetizers and drinks for party-goers. Many of the sponsors are local business owners and fellow graduates of Plant City High School.
To add to the fun, they encouraged graduates to dress in the classic 70’s attire which many opted to take part in.
The event will take place on Friday, March 25 at 3839 Don Emerson Drive, beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free of charge thanks to all of the event’s sponsors and appetizers will be available while they last. Additionally, a cash bar will be there with drinks for purchase as well.
If you’re a Plant City High School graduate from the 70’s and would like to attend this year’s party, it’s not too late! If you haven’t already RSVP’d through your class Facebook page, please do so by emailing PlantCityClassOf77@gmail.com including your class year and the name of any additional guest that you would like to bring.
“I think mortality and the fact that we’re getting older and that we’ve lost a lot of people from our class… I just think life becomes a little more important and joy needs to happen,” Roach said.
Some of the local Plant City sponsors include:
• Jim Zinner PE LLC Civil Engineering Services
• Scott A McElveen Inc.
• Mathis Farms Inc.
• Delfino Marketing
• Johnson Excavation and JES Abatement
• Area Litho Inc.
• PCHS Classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976
• PCHS 1977 Reunion Team
• Guardian Ad Litem
• Florida Strawberry Growers Association
• Cross Pest Control
• Gulf Electric
• Olin Mott Tires – Brandon