Family, friends, food and fun

Jacqlyn Sievers is only 10, but she can quickly explain what it means to be a Jackson Homecomer.

"They just want to talk a lot and meet new people," she said, standing near her brother, Justin, 14, and mom Shannon and dad Darrell, a Jackson police officer accompanied by his K9 partner, Baron.

From left, Hester McElmurry, 91, Missi Gailey, Judy Leist, Joshua Gailey, 7, Keith Gailey, Terri Leist and Nicholas Gailey, 9, watched Tuesday's opening Homecomers concert by the Jackson Municipal Band. Nick Leist, Judy's husband, has directed the band for 40 years. (Fred Lynch)

Like many families, the Sieverses chatted with friends, families and many strangers milling around downtown Jackson for the 99th Homecomers festival.

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr opened the event with a brief speech from the grandstand before the municipal band's hourlong concert.

"We have everything it takes for a good party. Family. Good friends. Food. Fun. Fellowship," she said, before turning the stage over the Nick Leist. He was celebrating his 40th year as band director. Nearby, watching from a row of lawn chairs, were four generations of his family: wife Judy, mother-in-law Hester McElmurry, 91; daughters Missi Gailey and Terri Leist, son-in-law Keith Gailey and grandsons Nicholas Gailey, 9, and Joshua Gailey, 7.

Terri Leist, the only member of the family actually born in Jackson, said she loved hearing the band play "76 Trombones" because she used to play the trombone. Her grandmother liked the music, but admitted she was looking forward to having the Elks' homemade ice cream.

While the music played, the crowd bounced their feet, and parents like Holly and Scott Keller helped their children, Libby, 22 months, and Brady, 3, clap along. The Kellers just moved to Jackson five weeks ago. Homecomers' funnel cakes and lemon drinks, Holly said, reminded her of summer festivals in DuQuoin, Ill.

"But we didn't have music like this. This is good family fun," she said.

Meanwhile, in a jury room of the courthouse, Mary Bauer slipped into a frothy neon-lime gown to make her final appearance as 2006's Miss Homecomers Queen. She shared the space with this year's contenders, twins Hannah and Katie Beaton and Ambrea Moore, all 15; and Julie Mothershead and Alexis Bogenpohl, both 16. The Beatons joked about which one was more outgoing. All the contestants agreed their friendship was more important that who won the crown. Mothershead did; Bogenpohl won second place and was voted by her peers as Miss Congeniality. Bauer, Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen, leaves for Florida on Aug. 1 to compete for the national Outstanding Teen title.

Before the girls filed down the stairs to face the crowd outside, pageant organizers Marybeth Williams and Christy Bock of the American Business Women's Association were brainstorming ways to get all the former queens to show up for the 100th Homecomers next year.

Baylee Way, 5, of Jackson won an inflatable My Little Pony lollipop at the duck pond Tuesday night at Jackson Homecomers. (Fred Lynch)

First-night glitches kept carnival operators busy patching a leak in a water ride and fiddling with generators for other rides.

Don Schuette, director of electric utilities for Jackson, said start-up troubles were common for rides, but concession stands did not experience any problems because they used city power and water from nearby fireplugs.

Rose Mary Asher, 73, of Jackson didn't bother with the rides. She's been attending Homecomers for at least 65 years, she said.

"I may have missed a few," she said. "I love seeing people, my friends and the entertainment."

Homecomers continues through Saturday.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr welcomed people to Homecomers Tuesday night, her first one as mayor. (Fred Lynch)

335-6611, extension 127