Fireworks will light up the sky for Jackson’s Holiday Fest

• Winter Fest

Winter Fest

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JACKSON — The chilly, dry air of winter will make Holiday Fest fireworks seem brighter, clearer and more colorful at 6 p.m. Saturday in Jackson.

“Everybody’s bundled up, and it’s crisp and cold out, and a lot of people do get out of their cars when the fireworks start, just to watch them from the outside,” said Marilyn Reese, executive director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a very nice celebration in our community.”

Fireworks may be one of the centerpieces of Jackson’s annual Holiday Fest, but they’re only a small part of the celebration, which includes activities for children and adults alike.

The festive fun begins with Santa’s Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Riverside Elementary, where kids can make gifts for their parents or grandparents, with the assistance of Jackson County 4-H’ers.

“It gets to be a big noisy, busy room full of fun,” Reese said. “It’s just exciting to be there because the kids are all excited about what they get to make.”

Kids can also attend story time at Riverside Elementary from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., or visit Santa from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Festival Park at the north end of Second Street.

“Our Holiday Fest in the wintertime is just lots of fun, and a great family event,” Reese said.

Other activities include:

* Free hot chocolate will be available at Bridget Bucksnort’s Brew Ha Ha and Grill starting at 11 a.m., and the Jackson County Central carolers will sing by the clock tower at noon.

* A free showing of “How to Train your Dragon” will begin at 1 p.m. at the Historic State Theater on Saturday and Sunday.

* Jackson Indoor Pool will offer free swimming from 1 to 5 p.m. for kids age 13 and younger.

* Opry Christmas Jackson Style will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, with a second showing at 7:30 p.m.

* A Poker Run fundraiser for the fireworks display will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pillars Pub & Eatery and also from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Other funds for the fireworks show, which costs approximately $5,000, are raised through snow cone sales and a summer family night out in Ashley Park.

* Kids Christmas Bingo will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, and attendees are requested to bring an item for the food shelf.

* Six businesses in downtown Jackson will offer free soup and breadsticks starting at 3:30 p.m.

* The festivities will shift to the Clock Tower when the Jackson County Central Brass Ensemble plays at 4:30 p.m., followed by a prize drawing for children’s sleds, Holiday Fest Light Parade at 5 p.m. and the fireworks at 6 p.m.

Parade-goers are asked to bring donations for the food shelf, if possible.

* The Pioneerland Gun Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Jackson National Guard Armory, located near the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

* The Jackson Christmas Tea will begin at noon and 6 p.m. Monday at the Jackson Golf Club, with tickets available at United Prairie Bank and Bank Midwest. The event is a fundraiser for the Jackson Health Care Foundation.

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