HOMECOMERS' TRADITION SHOWCASES AREA TALENTS

It might not be the largest festival in the region, but Jackson Homecomers remains one of the most treasured. Its hometown flavor and exhibition of local talent serves up an authentic slice of Americana.

Homecomers began Tuesday and continues through Saturday. Festivities are centered around the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse the same as the first celebration 85 years ago.

In fact, the community theme dates back to the first Homecomers in 1908, when a group of Jackson businessmen wanted to celebrate the newly-constructed Cape Girardeau County Courthouse. It marked the county seat's first big reunion, and families and friends were called back to the community for the revelry. Homecomers was disbanded during World War I and II, but was quickly re-established.

Homecomers' smooth operation is no accident. Hundreds of volunteers give thousands of hours throughout the year in its planning and execution. The festival has been masterfully sponsored since 1947 by the Jackson's Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158. Proceeds from the event are used by the Legion to sponsor a number of charity events and scholarships.

For now, Homecomers remains in the traditional uptown location. A survey taken in 1990 indicated the festival might be outgrowing its current home and impeding business traffic during the week. But organizers and city officials have been reluctant to change Homecomers' winning combination. Perhaps the secret to its long-standing success is its broad-based community support, including the business community.

A foundation of the Homecomers' lineup is its showcasing of local talent. Talent shows are scheduled each night, with the winners invited to participate in the Mid-South Fair in Memphis. With free admission, these nightly shows give us all a chance to celebrate the talents, creativity, and poise of both young and old.

Just as August is a busy month for family reunions, Homecomers serves as community reunion. It's a chance for Jackson and the entire region to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. It's one of the last opportunities to really celebrate summer, before the start of classes. It's Jackson's way of saying: Welcome home.