Holiday Extravaganza and displays in the park

Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is our next holiday and Christmas is right around the corner.

The Jackson Community Outreach Board will again be organizing the Holiday Extravaganza with an amazing light display in our Jackson City Park. The display begins at the park entrance by the swimming pool (North High and Independence Streets) and has been extended all the way to the Union Street exit. The footbridge over Hubble Creek will be a canopy of lights to stroll through. The bold and brilliant LED lights will sparkle from the coverings of trees and light posts and reflect off the waters of Hubble Creek.

This project is totally funded by donations and fundraisers. Funds have been raised by sponsors donating to light up posts or to decorate a tree. The recognized sponsor program for this year has now been closed, but you can still donate to assist with the cost of the Extravaganza and to be recognized as a sponsor during next year's holiday season.

An important part of the Holiday Extravaganza are the two event nights. The first event will be the "Flip the Switch" party on Nov. 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Along with the ceremonial "flip the switch" there will be wagon rides and food vendors. The second event night will be Dec. 10, also from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This night will be the "Meet Santa" event. This event will include enjoying a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, train rides, carriage rides, carolers, concessions, arts and crafts and other activities of the season.

In addition to the lights and activities, the JCOB has partnered with the Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry as the charity for the "Giving Tree" on both event nights. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the "Giving Tree" by the activity pavilion. During the holiday season the Jackson Food Pantry is a great charity to help local families in need to enjoy the holiday season.

I would like to thank the Jackson Community Outreach Board for organizing this event. As always, events do not organize and run themselves but take volunteers to assure the event is fun for all. The JCOB is asking for volunteers to help with the management of the events. If you would like to volunteer to assist with the running of the two events it would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers are needed to help with the arts and craft tables, managing the "Meet Santa" event and be involved with other activities. Please consider coming out and enjoying the events by helping out. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation to the Holiday Extravaganza please contact Angelia Thomas at (573) 587-4828, Michelle Doughten at (573) 450-3890 or Janice Lumsden at (573) 450-7867.

The JCOB is holding a fundraising night at the Gordonville Grill on Nov. 1. Ten percent of sales on this day will be donated to the JCOB for their activities. Eat in and take-out meals, and gift cards, count toward the 10 percent donation.

In combination with the Holiday Extravaganza will be the "Lights of the Season" displays. These displays are provided by private individuals and families, organizations, churches and businesses. These displays are a combination of funny, colorful and themes of the season. The "Lights of Season" displays will be on the opposite side of the street of the Holiday Extravaganza light displays and will be turned on the same night as the "Flip the Switch" party.

Dwain Hahs serves as mayor of the city of Jackson. He can be reached at mayorhahs@jacksonmo.org.