Homecomers day-by-day event breakdown

The city of Jackson will once again be abuzz with fun activities when the 104th Homecomers kicks off July 24.

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr will begin the celebration with a welcome speech, which will be followed by five nights of entertainment. Organizers say they are planning for a big crowd.

"With this being a free event, it gets difficult to tell how many come to Homecomers every year. But we fully expect somewhere around 35,000 to attend this year," said Wendy Hayes, Homecomers' co-organizer. "We think we have a great variety of things to see and do. I know people say it all the time, but we truly do have something for everyone."

To help you sort through Homecomers activities, SE Live presents a day-by-day breakdown. Each concert and contest event will take place on stage in front of the Cape Girardeau County courthouse in historic uptown Jackson, and ticket-based rides will be open every evening. There will also be free attendance drawings by the American Legion each night, awarding five $10 prizes to people present at 10 p.m. The group is also selling raffle tickets at $1 each for a drawing set for the final night of Homecomers, with a grand prize of $1,000.

For more information, visit jacksonhomecomers.com. Contest registration forms can be downloaded from the website or picked up in person at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday, July 24

The Jackson Municipal Band will open the festivities with the first concert of Homecomers, right after Lohr's speech. The carnival rides open in the midway and a one-mile youth run starts at Jackson City Park, both at 6:30 p.m. A 5K race follows at the park at 7 p.m.

In what Hayes calls "the highlight of the opening-night schedule," the reigning Homecomers queen turns over her crown to the winner of the 2012 pageant, which begins at 8 p.m. at the courthouse stage. The pageant is open to girls in grades nine to 12.

Each contestant will answer questions on stage, with the winner and first runner-up receiving prizes provided by merchants (in addition to the crown).

Wednesday, July 25

A contestant in the Senior Idol during Homecomers last year.

Rides will open at 6 p.m., right before entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Senior Idol contest. Those age 55 and over will showcase their singing voices and compete for the People's Choice Award during the event, which is being held for the sixth year and gaining in popularity, according to Hayes.

"I think when it first started, many were sort of timid about doing it," Hayes said. "But now we get all kinds of talented folks up there. We've had everything from singing to playing instruments to telling jokes. And everyone loves watching."

The entertainment will then take on a spiritual theme at 8 p.m. with the Gospel Sing, and organizers have invited contemporary and traditional groups from area churches to perform.

Thursday, July 26

Hayes says the most anticipated part of Homecomers is the talent show, and it begins with the preliminary competitions, which include two dance and two vocal categories -- ages 6 to 12 and 13 to 21. Dance competitions begin at 6:30 p.m., and vocals at 7:30 p.m. In the event of rain, the competition will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson.

"There are so many talented young people around the area, and the competition gives them a chance to shine," Hayes said. "It quickly becomes the big draw of the week."

The band Senior Notes will provide entertainment after the talent show. This is also armband night, during which ride patrons can purchase an armband for $20 entitling them to unlimited midway rides (which open at 6 p.m.).

Friday, July 27

The midway opens at 6 p.m., with the talent show finals getting underway at 6:30 p.m. Winners receive prizes, and the overall winner earns the right to compete at the Youth Talent Contest at the Mid-South Fair in Southaven, Miss. The fair, which was previously held in Memphis, Tenn., has had superstars such as Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake and Patsy Cline perform in its talent show. A talent scout from the Mid-South Fair will also be on hand and may invite more than one act to perform.

After the talent winners leave the stage, some local entertainment (which wasn't announced at press time) takes the courthouse stage to entertain the audience for the rest of the evening.

Saturday, July 28

After the midway opens at 6 p.m., the Senior Idol winners take the courthouse stage at 6:30 p.m. Local bluegrass outfit Old Santa Fe will close out the Homecomers entertainment at 8 p.m.

"I think the closing show should be something most of our audience can relate to, and we know there is a big country, rock and blues following around here," Hayes said. "This is the type of act that can get everyone up and dancing."

In the event of rain, the performance will be moved to the Jackson High School auditorium. For more about the band visit oldsantafeband.com.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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