Jackson's 95th Homecomers festival opened on Tuesday

By week's end, a young, pretty lady in a formal dress will answer several questions the right way and be crowned the queen of Homecomers.

But perhaps the true, albeit unofficial, royal court sat at the corner of High and Main Street Tuesday night, the first night of the 95th annual festival held uptown on the square.

Lindell and Lillian Riehn, both 85, have made attending Homecomers a priority. Lillian cannot remember missing a Homecomers celebration. She attended the annual event with her parents when she was a child.

The couple knows the event by heart. For years, they have heard the pleas of the carnival workers, trying to get passers-by to try their luck on popping a balloon or knocking down bottles for a stuffed animal or poster. Lindell and Lillian recognize the smell of the foods served by various service organizations. They hear the music of the municipal band and the local talent.

They have been to Homecomers before when, as was the case Tuesday night, the rides weren't quite ready when the children were.

Lillian at first sat by herself, watching the crowd go by, while her husband worked in the American Legion hamburger and soda booth.

Teenage couples walked past Lillian, their arms around each other or their fingers intertwined. Other teens socialized in groups, laughing and showing off. Lillian didn't quite know what to think of some of the clothes they were wearing. Mothers walked by, too, some pushing strollers, some holding balloons. Fathers strolled past hand-in-hand with their daughters.

Lillian couldn't do much participating this year because of her health. About a year ago, she broke her hip. She still uses a walker and sometimes a wheelchair, but her husband, Lindell, won't let her stay at home. It's good for her to get out, he tells her. And she agrees.

Lindell, meanwhile, was busy working. He turned 85 Tuesday and was celebrating by handing out one carbonated beverage after another. Every now and then, he'd glance across the street at his bride of 53 years, just to make sure she was doing OK.

Lillian enjoyed the company of hundreds of people and the humid but bearable evening air -- despite that nagging hip.

Even when the couple lived in St. Louis, Lindell and Lillian would make the trip during Homecomers week to come visit family and friends back home.

About the time the sun set on the Homecomers, Lindell had brought a sandwich over to his wife. He sat down in a lawn chair next to her and they enjoyed a tasty meal.

And as they watched the crowd go by, they made themselves at home.

Rides turned on late

The 95th Homecomers, as special as it is to many people, was not without its glitches on the first night.

The festivities got kicked off as scheduled around 6:30 p.m., but many of the rides didn't kick on until around 8 p.m. Shirley Sutton, the owner of the carnival operation, said the outfit is short on help and was scrambling to get the electricity hooked up.

Several children were disappointed, especially the younger ones who had to get to bed early for school today.

Paul Laurentius brought his daughters Morgan and Chelsey to Homecomers, like he does every year. Paul had many reasons for coming. His wife, Susan, plays the French horn in the municipal band. Plus, he likes to catch up with old friends he hasn't seen in a while.

Morgan, however, likes to come for the rides, particularly the boat ride set up in a swimming pool in front of city hall.

"We'll probably come back by Friday night and stay a little longer," Paul said. "These girls have got to be in bed by 9 o'clock."

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635