JACKSON SETS JULY 4 FESTIVITIES

JACKSON, Mo. -- Jackson is the place to get more bang for your buck this Fourth of July.

The amount being spent on fireworks at the Jackson Jaycees Fourth of July Celebration has nearly tripled to $10,000 this year, a boost made possible by donations from a new source -- corporate sponsors -- and the City of Jackson.

The extra money will allow the club to mount a fast-paced fireworks display with three banks of mortars instead of the usual two, eliminating the lull that occurs when one bank is being reloaded while the other is shooting.

With Cape Girardeau's celebration shrinking in recent years and the decision by VFW Post 3838 not to sponsor a fireworks display this year in Cape Girardeau, the Jaycees hope Jackson's big fireworks show establishes it as the place to be on the Fourth of July.

"We wanted to put the icing on the cake hoping that organizations in Cape said, The heck with it,' instead of trying to compete and neither of us having a nice day,'" said Randy Sander, president of the Jaycees.

In addition to the fireworks, the Jaycees will offer a drawing for a four-day, three-night Jamaican vacation and a car and truck show expected to draw as many as 170 entries.

Also scheduled is the event the Jackson celebration has been best known for, the traditional mud volleyball tournament. Forty-eight teams are expected to compete this year.

Other highlights include a tractor-pedal pull, a foot race and a concert by the Jackson Municipal Band (see related schedule). Entertainment, food stands, crafts, children's rides, a petting zoo and other events are planned throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m.

It will be an inexpensive day for the public. No admission and no parking fees are charged, and the Jaycees subsidize the kiddie rides. Typically, the Jaycees lose money on the celebration as much as $7,000 one year. The estimated loss this year is $4,000.

Next year, Sander hopes to go to "the other side of the interstate" to recruit corporate sponsors in Cape Girardeau.

"If everybody in Cape has decided they don't want to compete, next year we will go to Cape," he said. "Then we might be able to break even."

Amy Jones, corporate sponsor chairwoman for the Jaycees, said a party will be held in the evening to thank the corporate sponsors.

Sander said the fireworks display might get off to a slow start as club members get accustomed to the new three-bank mortar techniques, but he promises a thrilling show.

Schedule of Events

7:30 a.m. -- Drug Free Council Annual Fun Run

8 a.m. -- Mud Volleyball

9 a.m. -- Car and Truck Show

10 a.m. -- Entertainment system, corporate booths, food stands, crafts, children's rides, petting zoo, live radio remotes begin

10 a.m. -- Noon Optimist Youth Games

10 a.m. -- Pony Rides Open

1 p.m. -- Karaoke Contest

3 p.m. -- Car and Truck Show trophies awarded

3 p.m. -- Drawing for Jamaican Vacation

6 p.m. -- Cape County Young Farmers Tractor-Pedal Pull

7:30 p.m. -- Corporate Partners Appreciation Party

8 p.m. -- American Legion Presentation of Colors at Band Shell

8:05 p.m. -- Jackson Municipal Band Concert

9:30 p.m. -- Fireworks Display