Ready for rides

Carnival manager Joe Sutton paced around uptown Jackson Monday night with the tempo of a tilt-a-whirl.

Around and around he went, giving instructions, pointing here, waving there.

His challenge: assemble all of Homecomers in 24 hours.

His legs were moving at an almost frantic pace, but he spoke with a calmness of one who's been here before.

And he has. His family's carnival business has serviced Jackson's Homecomers celebration for many years.

But this year is a little bit different.

The city of Jackson is being more restrictive than in the past, requiring 17-foot fire lanes. The fire department is also taking a look at a number of issues that fire chief Brad Golden pointed out last year, like the proper distance between security fences and rides; and securing electric wires.

To make that happen -- especially to comply with the fire lanes -- Homecomers is a bit more spread out this year. Rides will sprawl down High Street all the way to the First Baptist Church.

"It's a give-and-take," Sutton said. "They asked something and I asked for something. I needed more room and more time, and they gave it to me."

The city's board of aldermen approved a measure to close off certain city streets at 9 p.m. However, the carnival crew didn't begin assembling any rides until 5 p.m. Monday. A few trailers were parked on some uptown streets, but they remained idle until the carnival cavalry arrived around 5 p.m.

Sutton said a change in the carnival's schedule this year -- it came from Macon, Mo., about 300 miles away, instead of St. Louis -- made it more difficult to arrive early.

Ready to inspect at 9 a.m.

Jackson assistant fire chief Les Crump was ready at 9 a.m. to begin his inspections, but there was nothing to inspect -- only a couple of parked tractor-trailers.

Sutton said even with the extra time and space, he's "still under the gun."

Last year, none of the rides was running when the mayor gave his welcoming speech. Some rides weren't turned on and running until Wednesday.

Sutton said the crew will work through the night and was optimistic that things would be up and running tonight.

But before they're turned on, the rides must meet the safety standards.

Crump said the crew usually begins assembling the rides late Monday mornings. He would've liked to have been able to inspect them on Monday by himself. Now, given the time consideration, he'll use several men to inspect the carnival.

Crump said the fire department will check and make sure all of the rides have the proper inspection stickers and will make sure all of the safety devices, such as seat belts, are in working order.

Golden said the carnival workers have been very cooperative.

"They've been real cognizant of the inspection issue and they're asking a lot of questions," Golden said. "As soon as they're done, we'll make a walk-through. As usual, this has been a real good group to work with."

New rides, more talent

Once the assembly and inspections are finished, organizers promise an improved Homecomers.

Bill Poe, longtime Homecomers organizer and member of the sponsor American Legion post, is excited that the carnival will include some new rides this year, including a Ferris wheel. Sutton said there will also be a "deluxe" scrambler.

"Everything going good," Poe said. "This has been a tradition since 1908. I feel every town ought to have some sort of heritage, a celebration like this every year."

Entertainment organizer Mary Beth Williams said there will be more contestants in the talent show and queen contest than usual.

"Thursday night, we'll have some bands competing," she said. "We usually don't have many bands for the talent show. Then we have a lot of acts, 35, on Tuesday night, so it'll be a long night of good talent."

Williams said entertainers are coming from as far away as Tennessee to participate.

There are also 12 who have entered the queen competition, including 11 from Jackson.

In addition to the entertainment, the American Legion is raffling away $100 in cash every night. On Saturday night, the legion will give away a $1,000 gift for groceries at Save-A-Lot and two $500 savings bonds.

"Truthfully, I like it all," said Poe when asked what he liked about Homecomers. "I've fooled with it for 40-some years. There's something about the camaraderie and seeing people you don't see very often."

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6645

The Jackson Homecomers celebration will be held Tuesday through Saturday in uptown Jackson. Every evening, there will be carnival rides and food vendors.

Tuesday

6:30 p.m. -- A welcome by Mayor Paul Sander and the Jackson Municipal Band.

6:30 p.m. -- Jackson Homecomers one-mile youth race, ages 6-12 (meet at American Legion Baseball field).

7 p.m. -- Adult 5K race (meet at American Legion Baseball field).

7:30 p.m. -- Homecomers talent show, vocal solo or group, ages 13-21.

10 p.m. -- American Legion Post attendance prizes.

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. -- Talent show, vocal solo or group, ages 6-13; dance or other talent ages 13-21.

9 p.m. -- "The Country Touch" band.

10 p.m. -- Attendance Prizes.

Thursday

6:30 p.m. -- Talent show, dance or other talent, solo or group, ages 6-12 and 13-21.

9 p.m. -- "The Country Touch" band.

10 p.m. -- Attendance prizes.

Friday

6:30 p.m. -- Homecomers talent show finals; winners and finalists ages 6-12.

7:30 p.m. -- Talent show winners and finalists, ages 13-21.

10 p.m. -- Attendance prizes.

Saturday

7:30 a.m. -- Tour de Homecomers, a noncompetitive bicycle race, begins.

8 p.m. -- Homecomers queen contest.

10:30 p.m. -- Grand prize drawing.