Coming home to Jackson

The Centennial Jackson Homecomers will not only feature all the usual carnival rides, events and food stands in the evening, but it will also highlight the history of Jackson with a number of exhibits and attractions.

Homecomers visitors will find nightly entertainment along the streets of Jackson. Along with the Jackson Municipal Band on opening night Tuesday, a gospel night Wednesday and a country music night July 25 are sandwiched around the talent show July 24. South High Street will feature carnival rides and the Heritage Association's DVDs, which will show more than 300 images of historic Jackson on TVs set up in stores.

Jackson Homecomers also plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cape Girardeau County courthouse and Jackson High School football. The courthouse, to which the 1908 Homecomers was dedicated and will be rededicated this year, was chosen for this year's art contest open to all grades and schools in Jackson. Entries will be on display all week at the Willer Building and finalists will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Art Presentation Night.

Of course, Homecomers wouldn't be complete without the Miss Homecomers competition Tuesday. This year, however, a majority of the past queens named since 1935 will be present as well at a ceremony July 26.

Jackson Homecomers begins every night at 7 p.m. from Tuesday to July 26. Talent show entry forms are available at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and must be returned no later than today. The overall winner of the 13-to-21 age group will be invited to the youth talent contest at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn. A representative from the fair will be in Jackson on July 25 and may invite other contestants to participate in the talent contest as well.