Hundreds gathered at different watch parties Saturday evening, to support Raines High School during the Class 3A state championship game.
A flashing sign reading “Go Vikings!” and themed drinks like the Vikingette Lemon Drop, Big Viking Margarita, and the Raines were some of the special touches at Legacy Lounge for their watch party.
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“Raines is just outstanding,” Linda Mills a 1982 graduate of Raines High School, said.
Mills is one of hundreds who went to Legacy Lounge to watch the the Vikings in their first title game appearance since 2018.
She said being able to see the high schoolers on TV representing Duval made her proud, especially knowing what side of town they’re from.
“We have continued to go forth in tragedy and all type of things on the North Side of Jacksonville,” Mills said. “We stayed strong and we will continue to be strong.”
In addition to watching the game and drinking Viking themed cocktails attendees were treated to good food.
Something the co-owner of Legacy Lounge Michael S. Jenkins Jr., said they’d been planning for all week.
He also mentioned hosting this watch party is something special they wanted to do for the community.
“I think we just wanted to create the space for our community to come out and watch the game ,” Jenkins said. “I think that of course it’s Christmas and a lot of families may not have the means to get down to Miami and be around the comradery of Raines alumni, so we just wanted to create that space here.
Legacy Lounge wasn’t the only place in Jacksonville hosting a watch party, so was Elevation Lounge.
More people in that watch party had on the school colors.
Mary Bennett another Raines alumni said it’s something she enjoyed seeing.
She also said this week, it was nice to see the community unify to support the school and raise money for them to go to the game.
“It was what we always do,” Bennett said. “It was definitely great seeing everyone come together and be here for us.”
Though the Raines lost the championship game 41-0, people News4JAX spoke to said they are hopeful the team will win next year.