The 29th Mid-South Charity Horse Show for “Eden of Youth Town” was held at the Pugh Bourne Park for the 5th year. This event is a preliminary competition for the annual Tennessee Walking Horse competition held in Shelbyville. Member Ed Cotter said “The Mid-South Horse Association is about 60 years old and one of, if not the oldest association in the country.” Through their charity events, funds are raised that go to benefit children assistance organizations like Eden of Youth Town.

Crowds gathered at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market for the 2016 “Taste of Jackson.” There was a great variety of traditional, spicy and ethnic foods. The new Farmers’ Market manager is Tammy Buchanan, who came from City Hall. She is a tireless worker striving to make every event a great success.

The 2016 Leadership Jackson scholarship presentation was held at the JEA Training Center. High school student award winners and their families came to receive the $1,000 scholarship award for the college of their choice. These students were chosen from a group of 40 applications that had been received.

On July 17, RIFA announced that the featured entertainment for CANstruction 2016 would be Michael W. Smith. CANstruction Jackson will be built by 14 teams, the largest group to compete since it started 12 years ago. Two years ago it was moved from the Jackson Mall to the Carl Perkins Civic Center as interest had grown for the competition.

The West Tennessee Area Council-Boy Scouts of America conducted its annual Friends of Scouting Dinner at Hope Hall on the campus of Northside United Methodist Church. The featured speaker was Mr. Bobby Bell, All-American Outland Trophy winner from the University of Minnesota who played in Super Bowl I and IV. He was the first Kansas City Chief elected into the NFL’s Hall of Fame. The Boy Scouts appreciate the leadership of Dr. Keith Nord, who serves as Chairman of the Friends of Scouting campaign, and was responsible for Mr. Bell’s appearance and to Dr. Bob Carney, Council Advancement Chairman responsible for Eagle Scout recognitions.

Billed as “The Largest Tailgate Party in Madison County,” Relay for Life took over the Farmers’ Market to celebrate the kickoff of the official Relay for Life 2016 season. Chairman A. J. Massey commenced proceedings with heartfelt thanks to his Event Leadership Team followed by a Ribbon Cutting.  The survivor tent was full, each person having an emotional story about their battle with cancer. The survivor walk was greeted with deafening applause as they strode triumphantly through the Farmers’ Market, continuing laps for 30 minutes.

Sixteen highly respected local artists from in and around Jackson graciously presented their impressive artwork at the 4th Annual Speaking of Art fundraiser to benefit the West Tennessee Hearing and Speech Center. Chandelier inside the Neely House, was a perfect venue for displaying various styles of art.

Breakfast for Babies, held by the March of Dimes at The Bakers Rack, featured a host of dignitaries who served the patrons. The buffet breakfast is an annual fundraiser for the March of Dimes. Diners were served by mayors, college presidents, TV anchors and volunteers from many businesses in Jackson.

The Jackson Symphony Association is proud to announce the outstanding performance lineup of its 56th season. In true style, the 2016-17 season will offer all the excitement and beauty of the past 55 years.  Whether Bizet’s “Carmen Suites,” Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto” or Rachmaninoff’s thrilling “Paganinni Variations,” this season features giants of the orchestral repertoire. A full concert of Rodgers and Hammerstein and the brilliant Gypsy Jazz band “Velvet Caravan” will have you singing along while dancing in your seats.

Jonathan and Fiona Harlan of Aeneas Internet & Telephone invited the public to their annual block party. The eagerly anticipated party was held in the lovely courtyard on the east side of the Aeneas building, which in years past was the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Daryl Chansuthus, Executive Director of WRAP, and her team provided an entertaining night at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, where their largest fundraiser was held. The entertainment was provided by Mike Walker & Friends, whose theme of “The Sounds of Jackson” moved the audience. Smooth Jazz Progression was an accompanying music group that enhanced the night.

The Barn at Snider Farm was rocking to the sound of The Kimberlie Helton Band, intermingled with rounds of bingo, good food from Coyote Blues, wine from Party Mart and a silent auction. The Jackson Service League presented their 4th Annual Boots, Bands and Bingo event at the Barn at Snider Farm on April 8th to a capacity crowd.