Thanks, Marybeth!

Of course the clouds blew away.

Of course, opening night for the 100th Homecomers would be nearly perfect.

Marybeth Williams wouldn't have it any other way, like something out of a Broadway musical -- was it my imagination, or did someone start humming lyrics from that Irving Berling tune ... 'Blue skies / Smiling at me / Nothing but blue skies / Do I see..."

There were the Miss Homecomers girls and those behind-the-scenes folks who helped the girls shine onstage: Linda Penzel, Kaci Hubbard, Heather Mastropierro and Tina Weber of the American Women's Business Association. There was Kirk Williams in a tux and flip flops, the footwear being a nod to this year's Hawaiian-themed contest.

Jim Smith and Frank Trankler acted as courthouse security, making sure neither food nor drink passed through the doors and that those vying for the crown didn't trip going up or down the courthouse steps.

On High Street, Blake Eggimann, 11, and Joshua Scholl, 9, supported their fellow Squires while serving at the DeMolay Home Made Ice Cream booth. Last year, by the time I heard how great the ice cream was, it was all gone.

This year, I made it to the booth twice (please don't tell my Shape Up Cape team mates) and even made photographer Aaron Eisenhauer try it. He liked it, too.

Police officers patrolled on foot, at times pausing to watch one of the many big-screen monitors in shop windows showing 500 historical images of Jackson. The 1917 blizzard photos are impressive.

The Jackson Police Department have a booth near the corner of High and Jackson streets. This year, instead of the SEMO HAZMAT truck, they are using the sleek Special Response Team Truck. Lt. Chris Mouser told me the booth serves three purposes: Everyone knows where to find them, in case someone needs help; officers use the booth as a command post; and the police offer coloring books and other educational handouts to children who stop by.

On Tuesday, Mouser was joined by Officer Justin Kemp and school resource and D.A.R.E. officer Larry Miller.

Toward the end of the evening, I used a small video camera and did a quick survey of folks who stuck around as the evening wound down.

In the meantime -- did you go to Homecomers? What did you like best?