Celebrations abound in Jackson

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JACKSON — The city of Jackson will be the site for not just one, but two festivals this coming weekend.

Jackson’s Town & Country Days and Rhythm of the River will both kick off on Friday, featuring events that are intertwined throughout the weekend.

Town & Country Days is the community’s long-standing festival, while Rhythm of the River is a relatively new addition, according to Kathy Fransen, who heads up the Rhythm of the River Music Committee.

Rhythm of the River was supposed to be a one-time event celebrating the city’s sesquicentennial in 2006.

“So we didn’t do it in 2007,” Fransen explained, “but everybody requested that we try it again, so we started again in 2008.

Every year it’s gotten bigger and stronger. The community support has been fabulous.”

A Renaissance theme will add a historical scope to the 2013 Rhythm of the River schedule.

“Rhythm of the River is an art and musical festival, but we also try to incorporate history and education,” said Fransen. “So this year we brought in the Siouxland Renaissance Association, which is very strong in education on the history of the 1500s. I think they really focus on the year 1575, being historically correct and promote education as part of their programming.”

Grant funds from Southwest Minnesota Arts & Humanities Council, the Jackson Community Initiative and the Rural Electric Association trust fund helped fund the Renaissance component. Attendees are also encouraged to buy a button to support the festival.

“It will start on Friday night with sword-fighting demonstrations, including the history of the sword and armor,” explained Fransen about the Renaissance group’s activities. “Saturday at 11:30 a.m., they will participate in the parade and then beat everyone to the park and begin the festivities at 1 p.m. There will be storytelling, jousting for children, authentic historical games, crafts, a costume booth where people can come and try on the garb and have their questions answered about what each piece is used for. There will also be a 45-minute stage show.”

Fransen encourage attendees to come in costume, Renaissance or otherwise, and participate in a costume parade at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

“Adults and children can also sign up for Renaissance garb to wear for the parade, or they can bring their own,” Fransen added.

Friday’s Town & Country Days events include a free movie at 10 a.m. at the Historic State Theater; family games from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and a magician performance at 1:30 p.m. at the theater.

Later in the day, the activities will shift to Ashley Park, the setting for Rhythm of the River.

Main Stage entertainment on Friday will include: 5:30 p.m., Lakefield Men’s Quartet; 6 p.m., Chad Elliott; 7:30 p.m., The Saloonies; 8:30 p.m., City Mouse; and 10:30 p.m., 24Seven.

On the River Stage, the Art Flows Children’s Craft Workshop will be offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule begins with Yoga in the park at 8 a.m., and Zumba in the park at 9 a.m. A Beginners Jam Workshop featuring Lynn Mullins and John McNelly is set for 10 a.m. at the Jackson Public Library. Duck Races will start at 11 a.m., with the parade at 11:30 a.m.

The opening ceremony for the “Renaissance on the River” is set for 1 p.m. at Ashley Park.

The Main Stage music schedule includes: 1:30 p.m., Roe Family Singers; 3:15 p.m., Steve Kaul and The Brass Kings; 5:15 p.m., Nikki and The RueMates; 7 p.m., The Sean Benz Band; 9 p.m., The Pre-Apocalyptic Junkyard Orchestra; 11 p.m., The Nectorines.

The River Stage will feature: 2:45 p.m., drumming workshop and drum circle with Marc Anderson; 4:45 p.m., SRA performance; 6:30 p.m., costume parade and drum circle.

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