Soggy start: Storms dampen start of Jackson Homecomers

Thunderstorms shuttered the 108th annual Jackson Homecomers carnival rides and live music Tuesday evening, but plenty of people headed to uptown Jackson anyway to enjoy the annual celebration’s other draws.

“The ice cream and the grilled cheese,” Jackson resident Heath Cashion said, with ice cream in one hand and a grilled-cheese sandwich in the other.

His wife, Kristi, and 8-year-old son, Damian, said they’d been looking forward to the rides.

“The big ones,” Damian said. “Yeah, the bigger the better!”

“We’re planning to come back tomorrow night for dollar rides,” Kristi said, but until then, the ice cream was good enough to make the trip a success.

Jack Dameron looks out from the New McKendree United Methodist Church grilled cheese stand during a rainy opening day Tuesday of the 108th Homecomers in Jackson.Glenn Landberg

John McFarland, who has worked in the Order of DeMolay ice-cream stand for the past seven years, said part of the stand’s success is its lack of availability outside Homecomers.

“As far as I know, it’s always been popular. That’s part of Homecomers,” he said. “There’s no other place to get it other than this week.”

Of course, the other reason for its success — the recipe — McFarland kept secret.

But food, rides and music aren’t the only things Homecomers has to offer.

For residents like the Rev. Eric Longman and his wife, Donna, Homecomers seems the quintessential Jackson experience.

Arthur and Oliver Tuschhoff splash around in a puddle during a rainy opening day Tuesday of the 108th Homecomers in Jackson.Glenn Landberg

“I’m more looking forward to seeing some of the people we know,” Donna said. “That’s one of the great things about living in Jackson.”

The Longmans moved to the area about a year ago and said the pace of life in Jackson and focus on community are welcome changes.

“We’re from Atlanta,” she said. “So this whole small-town thing is still new to us, but we love it.”

Tonight is slated to be Gospel Night with musical guests the Baird Family and Reflections. Bingo is scheduled throughout the night.

Weather permitting, Thursday will be armband night, meaning a $20 armband will grant unlimited carnival rides.

Don Hester will provide the music of Elvis Presley, followed by the band Bittersweet.

The Stooge Band will play from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday.

Saturday’s music will feature Immaculate Conception Church Choristers and Southern Harmony, as well as the band Manitou. Veterans of the Korean War are encouraged to attend Saturday for a tribute ceremony.

Every night at 10 p.m., the American Legion will host an attendance drawing for prizes.

According to Accuweather, today through Saturday call for a chance of thunderstorms each day, with high temperatures in the mid-80s.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627