It was a super night for the 25th SportsPlus Football Jamboree, held this year at the Ballpark at Jackson. The stadium provided all those in attendance with a great view of the action. Ten teams competed during the course of the Jamboree. According to Leigh Ann Gaines, this is the second time it has been held here at the ballpark.

On Saturday, July 22, Toast of Jackson, a fine wine and art festival and celebration of local and regional wineries, was held at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The event raises funds for the Exchange Club of Jackson and the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Event attendees visited participating booths, viewed and purchased art and sipped on a wide variety of fine wines from various local and regional wineries.

A Taste of Jackson was held on a beautiful evening at the Jackson Farmers’ Market. The variety of foods available included Oriental, Mexican, American and grilled. Each year the event expands out to the market area and specialty coffees are available for tasting. Startup businesses showcase their products, and community outreach agencies participate in the tasty event among the restaurants.

The Mid-West Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted their annual Heroes Luncheon on Thursday, May 11 at the Carl Grant Center at Union University in Jackson.

On Sunday, May 28, the Jackson-Madison County NAACP held the 54th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. As event attendees entered the double doors of the Civic Center they were greeted and escorted by the organization’s youth members. They walked through a beautiful archway onto an aisle lined with photos of key members of the NAACP recognized as “NAACP Legends.”

On Friday, May 12, local residents joined together at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Madison County at the Farmers’ Market to raise funds and awareness in an effort to free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. Many teams acted as food vendors at the event and provided a delicious variety of items for the other attendees to purchase and enjoy.

After a week of rain people were ready to get out and have some fun. The fifth annual Aeneas Block Party fit the bill for a large group of attendees. Entertainment was provided by Madison and Blair, the Kimberlie Helton Band and Beyond Blame. The Glory Extreme All-Stars performed a steady stream of gymnastic flips and spins to the delight of the crowd. BancorpSouth had its outdoor grill running full steam to keep up with the large hungry crowd. People were interacting with friends they hadn’t seen recently, making it seem like an old-fashioned family reunion. Our thanks to Mitch Carter of Moore Studios, founder of the block party, prior to Jonathan Harlan, CEO of Aeneas Internet & Telephone, picking it up several years ago.

West Tennessee Healthcare’s Senior Services held its third annual Senior Women’s Conference, “Blossoming Into a Better You” at Union University’s Carl Grant Events Center. This fun-filled event was for women age 50 years and older.

Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce held a graduation ceremony for its 2017 Leadership University graduates on Thursday, April 27 at Union University’s Carl Grant Events Center. Leadership University is a youth leadership development program for high school juniors from Jackson/Madison County.

The grand antebellum home of Caroline and Jeb Campbell was the ideal setting for this first Seriously Seersucker fundraiser. Held under the stars amongst the manicured gardens and meandering pathways, 270 of Jackson’s finest gathered to listen to the amazing New St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church choir and enjoy great food from the Old Country Store. The Casey Jones Barbershop Quartet and Scott Myatt and friends provided additional music throughout the evening.

Art on the Porch benefiting the Dream Center was held on Tuesday, May 9 at the Providence House at Casey Jones Village. 

Art from local artists, including art and jewelry made by some of the ladies at the Dream Center, was displayed in front of and on the porch of the beautiful historic Providence House for event attendees to view and purchase.

The Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program (WRAP) is an organization whose focused goal is “embracing and empowering victims of domestic and sexual violence.” Nineteen counties surrounding Madison County are part of the service organization’s scope for assistance. A 24-hour hotline, transportation to safe houses, free counseling with continued support groups, court case education, financial assistance and advocate representatives are the fundamentals of their services. If you or someone you know is in one of these situations, then find your closest agency and get the free help that is needed!