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The 73rd Annual Plainfield Community Homecoming Parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, beginning at 9 a.m. The parade will follow the theme “Literary Legends – Celebrating Famous Characters from the Last 100 Years,” recognizing the centennial year of the Plainfield Area Public Library.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Mindy Jackson, who serves as the School Services Librarian for the Plainfield Area Public Library. "For the past 14 years, Jackson has been an integral part of the library, and in her current role as School Services Director, she oversees programs for 18 elementary schools. She develops and coordinates engaging programs and story times that ignite a love of reading in young learners. Few individuals have had more direct contact with nearly every student in the district, and her dedication to literacy has touched countless young lives in our community," according to event organizers.
"A Plainfield resident for 30 years, Jackson is married to her husband, David, and is the proud mother of three children. This year’s parade theme 'Literary Legends – Celebrating Famous Characters from the Last 100 Years' honors the Plainfield Area Public Library’s century of service to the greater community. Jackson’s career beautifully reflects this theme, as she has spent her life sharing beloved characters and timeless stories with generations of students," organizers stated.
"Her leadership, passion, and commitment to education make her a perfect choice for this honor. Jackson represents the very best of Plainfield and its commitment to learning," said event representatives.
The parade will proceed through downtown Plainfield with participation from all grade levels. The event originated in 1952 when then-District 202 Superintendent Walter Niehus started it to celebrate homecoming week at Plainfield High School. Over time it has become a broader community tradition.
Following the parade at approximately 10:45 a.m., PHSCC alumni and friends are invited to attend an Alumni Tea in the main cafeteria at Plainfield High School–Central Campus (PHSCC), where members of the Class of 1975 will be recognized.
Later that evening, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., an All Class Reunion will be held at the Plainfield American Legion Hall on Renwick Road. The reunion welcomes all alumni and friends; there will be music, snacks, a cash bar, and a $10 donation requested at entry.
In addition to these events, three new members—Brenton Emanuel (Class of ‘03), Kahmari Montgomery (‘15), and Nick Nasenbeny (‘14)—will be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Friday, September 19 at PHS-CC auditorium starting at 6 p.m., with further recognition during halftime at that evening's varsity football game.
Other related homecoming activities include varsity football games across several local high schools:
- At Plainfield High School–Central Campus: Varsity football game against Bolingbrook High School on September 19.
- At Plainfield East High School: Varsity football game against Plainfield South High School on September 26.
- At Plainfield North High School: Varsity football game against Plainfield East High School on October 3.
- At Plainfield South High School: Varsity football game against Plainfield High School–Central Campus on October 10.
Plainfield East High School serves students in grades nine through twelve within Will County and had an enrollment of over two thousand students during the 2019-2020 school year https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. That year’s student body was made up primarily of white (42.3 percent), Hispanic (25.9 percent), black (15.7 percent), and Asian (10.7 percent) students https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. Each grade level represented about one quarter of total enrollment; grade ten had slightly more students than other grades https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
More information about this year's parade or future nominations for Grand Marshal can be obtained by contacting Chari Rahn or Ingrid Andreasen Price through District communications channels or by visiting https://www.psd202.org/page/homecoming.
