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29TH ANNUAL JACKSON DAY A BIG HIT
By Keith Hagarty
 | | Fran and Mark Slahor look on with their daughter Megan, 7, as their son John, 9, attempts to attain new heights reaching for the top of the rock wall. |
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The tempting smell of sweet barbecued ribs, the infectious laughter of kids of all ages-some of whom worked up the courage to climb a rock wall while others nearly flew away holding armfuls of balloons-all contributed to making Jackson Day 2006 a resounding success.
"This is great. It's a heck of a day out here," George Vacca said, as his 4-year old daughter, Michelle, pulled his arm to go towards the kids' train ride.
"She loves it," he said. "She's seen a few of her friends here too, so that made her happy. They just do a great job putting this thing together every year."
With an estimated 10,000-plus in attendance last Saturday, the 29th annual Jackson Day was the biggest and best ever, according to the general consensus from the crowd, as well as township recreation Director Ann Alberta.
"It went great, absolutely great," Alberta said after the festivities ended.
"As much as I am exhausted, I think that everyone was pleased with it," she said. "People are still stopping me and making comments about it how they just had a really, really nice day. The weather was beautiful, and all the different things planned for the day just worked out well."
 | | Above: Ready ... aim ... fire! The youngest to the oldest marksmen took aim for stuffed prizes and bragging rights. Left: Congregation members from Hope Cathedral prepare a batch of succulent barbecued ribs for the hungry festival goers. |
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A plethora of nonprofit organizations from Jackson contributed their time, money and labor to the event, which kicked off with a parade featuring Mummers, local organizations, youth sports leagues and several local and state officials.
With some of the attractions including Radio Disney playing hits for the kids, diverse classic tunes from performers, such as The Marvelettes and The Drifters, to the capping off of the festivities with fireworks from Six Flags Great Adventure and the playing of "Echoing Taps" from two members of Jackson Memorial High School's Marching Jaguars Band, Alberta was extremely pleased to see it all come together without a hitch.
"It was just a wonderful end to a perfect day," she said, giving additional praise to the police and firefighters who participated in the day.
Alberta also credited the Mayor's Commission for the Disabled for running their game booths to the delight of the attendees.
"They're just absolutely wonderful," she said of the organization, now in its fourth year. "They come in and the kids love them."
Local groups, such as the Hope Cathedral and the Sherod Foundation, lit up the barbecues and did their part to the delight of the taste buds of many of the festival goers.
"Community participation is just wonderful," said Alberta. "People came from all walks of life, and just really enjoyed the day."
While she didn't want to divulge any secrets, Alberta said she and her staff are already hard at work getting ready for next year's 30-year anniversary of Jackson Day, promising it will even top this year. "With all the work that I do all year, when
they have a good time that just gives me more incentive to do even more," she said. "What can I do next?"
 | | After marching through the opening parade for Jackson Day 2006, Jackson Soccer Club members Alex Havens, 10, Nicole Mickendraw, 11, Brianna Perkowski, 10 and Bailey Havens, 6, join their coaches Mark Havens and Clayton Rickle to watch riders tumble off the mechanical bull ride. |
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