JACKSON BECOMES PLACE TO GET DIRTY

Joe Kirchdoerfer, right, lent a hand to Melvin Gateley after Gateley was thrown from his milking stool as Jellybean, a Jersey milk cow from the Kirchdoerfer's dairy, watched the scene. Gateley did not spill any milk.

Kara Thoma rejoiced after her team "Charlie Niece" won a mud-covered volleyball match Sunday afternoon. Forty eight teams took part in the annual mud volleyball tournament at Jackson.

Some 150 cars and trucks participated in the Car Show at the 11th annual Jackson Jaycees Fourth of July Celebration. A 1958 Corvette owned by Jim Wente won first place in the car show. A 1967 Chevy pickup owned by Jim Miller took first in the trucks.

Dozens of flags soared above Cape Girardeau County Park on the Sunday, July 4, in honor of area veterans.

Stan Turner placed a $100 bill atop a greased pole in Arena Park Sunday afternoon. The pole covered in axle grease was studded with various prizes on the way up.

For the past 11 years, a section of Jackson City Park has been transformed into one big mudhole, and the people who participate in the annual mud volleyball tournament wouldn't have it any other way.

Everyone has a different reason for wanting to end up covered in mud from head to toe, but the most common reason seemed to be -- "It's just fun to get dirty."

This was Matt Drueso's fourth year to play mud volleyball. "It's just the most fun thing there is to do," he said. His team remained undefeated after two games and enjoyed a breather before returning to the court. Not everyone does it for the mud, however.

A teammate said he did it for the chicks. "There's always lots of cute chicks around," he said.

Jason Jones and Blake Pope weren't as lucky in their try to capture a win. "We've been defeated twice, so we're out," said Pope.

"The last game was a really good one, though," added Jones.

Many of the teams stayed with the mud theme when naming themselves. The Mud Slammers, Mud Mowers, Mud Ducks, Mud Pirates and Muddy Pigs were just a few of the 48 teams who participated in the double-elimination event.

Capturing first place was the undefeated Two Ton Tonka Trucks team made up of Jason, Katy and Alisha Liley, Kory Thoma, Eric and Ryan Schweanin, Justin Keen and Jeff Thurman.

Jackson Jaycee member Rick Saupe has been in charge of the tournament since it began.

"There are three games going on at all times, but it still takes about 12 hours to declare a winner," he said.

Donnie Glueck, another Jackson Jaycee, noticed that this year a new tradition had been started.

"It doesn't seem to matter if a team wins or loses, everyone has one big mud wrestling match at the end."

Glueck was enjoying the festivities at the park before he began his duties of putting on the fireworks display.

"The crowds are down a little this year," said Glueck. The oppressive heat and humidity kept many people inside.

When it came time for the fireworks, however, the park and surrounding area was filled with onlookers.

Other events throughout the day included a car show, fishing rodeo, pedal tractor pull and plenty of food and music.

The Jaycees welcomed the help from the newly formed community coalition. "This event has really grown," said Glueck, "it takes a lot to put it on."