JACKSON GEARS UP FOR START OF ANNUAL HOMECOMERS ON TUESDAY

JACKSON -- Final preparations are under way for Tuesday's opening of the 87th edition of Jackson Homecomers sponsored by Jackson Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158.

The five-day Homecomers, which is free, runs through Saturday in uptown Jackson.

"We're anticipating a bumper crowd if the weather cooperates," said Bill Poe, co-chairman of Homecomers. "It just gets bigger and better than ever."

Homecomers will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday with the opening of a carnival, concession stands and booths. Jackson Mayor Paul Sander officially opens Homecomers at 8 p.m.

Poe said a change in this year's Homecomers is the starting time of the nightly talent shows. The Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday talent shows begin at 8 p.m.

A finals bracket has been added for 6- to 12-year-old contestants during the talent show finals on Saturday night. Overall winners of the 13- to-21 age group will be invited to compete in September in the Youth Talent Contest at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis.

The 1994 Jackson Homecoming queen will be crowned on Wednesday night.

Poe said United Exposition Shows will have three new carnival rides and an all-new funhouse at Homecomers. Bracelet night for the carnival rides will be Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Adult and children's bracelet rides will be offered.

Besides the nightly talent shows, this year's schedule of live entertainment includes the Country Touch on Tuesday and Wednesday, Classic Country on Thursday and Friday, and Night Shift on Saturday.

Three grand prizes will be awarded on Saturday. First prize is a 32-inch color television valued at $1,239. Second prize is a $250 gift certificate from Schaper's IGA. Third prize is tickets for four to Players Riverboat Casino in Metropolis, Ill., including a cruise, dinner and show in the Merv Griffin Theater.

Hundreds of attendance prizes will be awarded each day of Homecomers. Registration will take place at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse gazebo.

Capt. Robert Hull of the Jackson Police Department said several streets in the vicinity of the courthouse will be closed after 10 p.m. Monday to allow the carnival and concession stands to set up. The streets: two blocks of South High and Court from Washington to West Main; Barton between West Main and Washington; and West Main from Hope west to Missouri.

"We urge everyone to drive carefully and watch for pedestrians during Homecomers," said Hull.

Jackson Homecomers originated in 1908, when city officials decided to commemorate the dedication of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse that was completed that year. Homecomers has been held every year since except during both world wars.

The American Legion took over sponsorship of the event in 1947, and moved it to late August to avoid a conflict with the Southeast Missouri District Fair in Cape Girardeau in September.

Poe said after all the bills and expenses are paid money from Homecomers is used to carry out charitable events the Legion sponsors plus given several scholarship awards.