Plainfield Homecoming Parade Set for Oct. 6

It’s time to unleash your inner man of steel or Wonder Woman.

The Plainfield High School Alumni Association has announced a “Super Heroes” theme for the 2012 Plainfield Community Homecoming Parade, set to step off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6.

Parade entries will line up near just south of the , before making their way through downtown Plainfield. Stay tuned to Plainfield Patch for additional route and road closure information in the days leading up to the Oct. 6 event.

This year, former PE teachers Kathy Kazmar and Karen Roppa will serve as parade grand marshals.

The women, who taught at the high school long before it was known as Plainfield Central, were instrumental in launching the PHS girls athletic program in the 1970s, according to alumni association member Jean Brannen.

“These are two great ladies,” Brannen said.

“They did a huge amount to bring girls athletics to Plainfield High School,” Brannen added, noting it was Kazmar who helped bring bring girls track and field to PHS as a competitive sport.

Roppa helped shape the PHS softball program, Brannen added.

Parade entries are still being accepted. There’s no fee for school parade floats, and the cost for businesses and other for-profit entries is $25.

Parade entry forms are available on the Plainfield Community Homecoming website. 

As always, the homecoming festivities will include an alumni tea and homecoming barbecue at Plainfield Central High School, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive.

The tea will start at 11 a.m. in the cafeteria, followed by the outdoor barbecue from noon to 2 p.m.

The Plainfield Central Wildcats will take on Plainfield South High School for its varsity homecoming football game at 1 p.m.

For a complete list of Plainfield Central homecoming events, click here.

Did you graduate from PHS during the 1970s? Or were you a teacher during that decade? Then the alumni committee is looking for you.

“We’re looking for anybody who graduated in the ’70s or anybody who taught,” Brannen said.

After the daytime homecoming festivities wrap up on Oct. 6, the alumni association will host a at 6:30 p.m. at 176 West Banquet Hall, 1100 Northeast Frontage Road in Joliet.

Tickets are available for $40 each and must be purchased in advance by calling 815-436-2727, emailing phsthat70sthing@gmail.com or visiting a Facebook page created for the reunion.

While the Oct. 6 event is a communitywide homecoming celebration, the rest of ’s high schools will mark their homecomings the week of Sept. 24 to 29.

Here’s a roundup of what’s happening at each campus:

• /Red House: The Tigers will take on Romeoville High School during the school’s varsity game on Sept. 28; the school’s homecoming dance is Sept. 29. Click here for more information.
• /Orange House: The Bengals will face off against Oswego on Sept. 28, with the homecoming dance scheduled for Sept. 29. Click here for a schedule of PEHS homecoming events.
• /Blue House: The Cougars face Minooka in their Sept. 28 varsity football game. The PSHS homecoming dance is also Sept. 29. Click here for a list of all of PSHS’ homecoming events.