Viking Pride Set for Final Countdown on Closing of WHS

It’s an event you won’t want to miss if you want to say good-bye to Winthrop High School in person.

Viking Pride Foundation Chairman Vin Crossman said ticket sales are brisk for the organization’s “The Final Countdown,” that is set for Saturday, June 28 at the high school that will face the wrecking ball a week after the event.

“We are having our big event this year at the high school and it’s a closing celebration to commemorate the life of Winthrop High School which will be torn down in early July,” said Crossman. “Our board is very excited about this event.”

The event is a social gathering for Winthrop alumni and friends. There will be light appetizers and a disk jockey providing musical entertainment. The courtyard and cafeteria will be the main event areas.

“Some of the graduating classes will be holding their reunions at that time and they’ll be in special rooms and can join the larger crowd later on,” said Crossman.

Guests can also purchase pieces of the Holland Gymnasium floor and other artifacts from the high school.

The committee is expecting more than 500 guests to attend the VPF’s featured event of the year. The two Great Reunions and concerts at Miller Field have drawn tremendous crowds and inspired guests to return each year to help support the organization’s fundraising efforts.

“The response has been excellent,” said Crossman. “This event is generating the most excitement out of any of our events. We have a large advance sale of tickets which is uncharacteristic. Usually people wait for the last minute but we have a lot of people buying in advance.

Crossman said that “VIP Tables” are also available but 50 per cent of those tables have been sold two months out from the event.

The VPF recently supported the Cummings Elementary School with upgrades and a donation of children’s books to the school library.

Crossman said the Foundation has launched a grant program “to assist Winthrop teachers with any classroom needs during their move to their new classrooms” as part of the relocating of students in the school construction phase.

(Tickets for The Final Countdown are available at Fabiano’s Liquors, Christopher’s Flowers, the Law Offices of Chris Tsiotos, or from any Viking Pride Foundation board member).