Homecomers celebration in Jackson brings annual fun

~ Editor's note: The following story has been changed to correct the name of the store providing the second prize in the American Legion's raffle.

The city of Jackson will become the site of fun and entertainment when the 105th Jackson Homecomers celebration kicks off Tuesday.

"As it always has been, Homecomers is a wonderful time for friends and neighbors to enjoy each other's fellowship," said Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr.

A free event that will run through Saturday, the celebration's contest events and concert will take place on stage in front of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in historic uptown Jackson. Vending booths and carnival rides will be open every evening and free attendance drawings by the American Legion will take place each night, awarding five $10 prizes to people present at 10 p.m.

The American Legion also will sell raffle tickets at $1 each for a drawing on the final night of Homecomers; first prize will be a $750 shopping spree at Save-A-Lot, second prize will be a recliner from Ross Furniture and third prize will be a gift certificate from Pocahontas Lumber.

Organizers of the celebration say they are planning for big crowds.

"It's hard to say how many actually attend Homecomers," said Wendy Hayes, Homecomers co-organizer. "But we're expecting a lot of people downtown throughout the week, maybe up to 5,000."

Hayes said this year's version of Homecomers will be different from last year's event because of the cancellation of the Homecomers Queen Pageant.

"There were just not enough entries for this year's pageant," she said, "and we're not anticipating other girls to register."

Homecomers will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday with a welcome speech by Mayor Lohr, followed by the opening of rides on the midway and a performance by the Jackson Municipal Band. The 1-mile youth run at Jackson City Park also is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., followed by the 5k race at the park at 7 p.m. The band Senior Notes, directed by Bob Schwepker, will perform at 8 p.m. in place of the Homecomers Queen Pageant.

On Wednesday, the rides will open at 6 p.m. before the start of the Senior Idol contest at 6:30 p.m. Those age 55 and older will showcase their singing voices and compete for the People's Choice Award during the competition, now in its seventh year.

"We expect all kinds of talented folks to participate," Hayes said. "But it's not like everyone will be singing. In the past, we've had dancers and joke-tellers take the stage, and it's a treat to see."

The celebration will take on a spiritual theme at 8 p.m. with the Gospel Sing.

Thursday's schedule includes the opening of rides at 6 p.m. and what Hayes called the most anticipated part of Homecomers, the talent show, at 6:30 p.m. The talent show begins with the preliminary competitions, which include two dance and two vocal categories for ages 6 to 12 and 13 to 21. Dance competitions begin at 6:30 p.m. and vocal competitions at 7:30 p.m.

In case of rain, the talent show will be at the American Legion Hall.

After the talent show, the Senior Notes band will again provide entertainment. Thursday also is Armband Night, during which patrons can purchase an armband for $20 entitling them to unlimited midway rides.

The rides open at 6 p.m. Friday, which also is the night of the talent show finals at 6:30 p.m. The winners will 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 River Cats band will perform from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

"The River Cats have a following," Hayes said. "They play a variety of music that includes songs from the '70s and '80s."

On Saturday, the rides will open at 6 p.m. for the last time and the Senior Idol winners will return to the courthouse stage at 6:30 p.m. for encore performances. The closing concert will be performed by the St. Louis-based Motown Review from 8 to 10 p.m.

"When you think of the Motown sound, these guys do it well," Hayes said. "The crowd is going to love it and it's OK for them to dance."

For more information about the 2013 Jackson Homecomers celebration, visit jacksonhomecomers.com.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO