Festival offers 'something for everyone'

The 99th annual Jackson Homecomers Festival begins with a welcome by Mayor Barbara Lohr at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Uptown Jackson will feature activities for the entire family, including carnival rides, food stands, displays and nightly entertainment.

Lohr said she is excited to kick off Homecomers for the first time.

"[Former Jackson mayor] Paul Sander always does an excellent job of getting everyone excited about the festival," Lohr said. "That's a hard act to follow."

Homecomers, sponsored by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion, will feature entertainment from the Tommy Hubbs Band, the Country Touch Band and the Classic Country Band and daily prize drawings by the American Legion.

Mary Beth Williams, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said the family-oriented fun is not new to the festival.

"It's always been a family-friendly atmosphere, for almost 100 years," Williams said. "Some of the bands have played the festival for several years. But we definitely have something for everyone."

"The Chamber of Commerce and American Legion does the absolute best they can every year," Lohr said. "We continually put together a wonderful festival and it's always a great big family party."

Williams said the Homecomers talent show, which features a variety of acts, is usually the big draw of the week.

"We normally get 50 to 100 contestants every year for the talent competition, and people love to watch what's going on there," Williams said. "It's amazing how many people really want to participate in that."

Another popular event, the Miss Homecomers Queen pageant, will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The pageant normally features "about 10 contestants," according to Williams.

The festival has not always been the last week in July. Organizers moved it back two years ago so Homecomers would not conflict with the opening of school.

jsamons@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137