JACKSON -- Anyone feeling the need for speed, live music or a glimpse into local history should make a pit stop in Jackson this weekend for Race Days 2008.
"Racing is about so many things in the community," said Marilyn Reese, executive director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, referring to the many community-wide racing-related activities of the weekend.
Not all the festivities revolve around racing, however.
The Rhythm of the River music festival is back for the second time this year, with five bands playing starting at 5 p.m. Friday and another four with a 5 p.m. start Saturday in Ashley Park.
Connersvine, a Christian rock duo, kicks off the music festival at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by an eclectic trio, The Brass Kings, and then NDY Band, which plays a variety of '60s, '70s and '80s tunes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pert Near Sandstone, a string band, and Handsome Deville, a punk/alternative rock band, will round out Friday evening.
Saturday's lineup starts at 5 p.m. with folk-blues trio Nikki and the RueMates taking the stage, followed by The Pines and Band, a roots, blues and rock band.
Swing and jazz/blues group Davina and The Vagabonds and reggae/rhythm and blues band The New Primitives are also slated to play Saturday.
A beer garden, fire-spinners and belly-dancers will also be in Ashley Park during the music festival.
People who would rather participate in races than watch them will also get a chance to have fun.
The annual Jackson River Ride will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, with registration opening at 7 a.m. at Albertus Field.
"It is a very nice ride and the short ride this year will be a little bit longer, because we've had an additional trail in the community that's been finished," Reese said.
The River Ride is sponsored by the Jackson County Trails Association and includes four route options of different lengths, including 4.5-, 15-, 30- and 50-mile options. The 4.5-mile tour will be along the walking/biking trails on both sides of the Des Moines River.
ADVERTISEMENT
The registration fee pays for a schedule with a map, a marked route, T-shirt, support, rest stops with food and water and coupons. All proceeds from the ride go to Jackson County trails.
Another race-related event is the 15th annual Road Races and Fitness Walk. Registration for the two-mile walk, half-mile run, one-mile run and 5K run begins at 5:15 p.m. Friday at Jackson County Central High School.
The walk begins at 6 p.m., with the half-mile run for 9-to 12-year-olds beginning at 6:45 p.m. and the half-mile run for 8-year-olds and younger beginning at 7 p.m. The one-mile run starts at 7:15 p.m., and the 5K starts at 7:30 p.m.
The fitness walk is open to everyone, and people are encouraged to walk with their families or friends. Push strollers are welcome, and no running is allowed.
Water stations will be available for the 5K race, and refreshments will be provided for participants in all the events near the finish line.
The Historic State Theatre will offer a free movie every day at 1 p.m., starting with "Racing Stripes" on Thursday, "Days of Thunder" on Friday and "Cars" on Saturday.
The Race Days Parade begins at 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Jackson, and the Jackson Speedway Races begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
Fort Belmont will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, and in honor of the event, a cavalry re-enactment will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Fort Belmont. A second re-enactment will be at 3 p.m., followed by an Ol' Settlers Picnic at 5 p.m. Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
RACE DAYS SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY: 1 p.m., free movie, "Racing Stripes," Historic State Theatre.
FRIDAY: 1 p.m., free movie, "Days of Thunder," Historic State Theatre; 5 p.m., community picnic, Ashley Park, also start of Rhythm of the River and beer garden, Ashley Park; 6 p.m., 15th annual Road Race and Fitness Walk, Jackson County Central High School, lower parking lot; 7 p.m. "Beauty and the Beast," Prairie Fire Theater, JCC Performing Arts Center.
SATURDAY: 6:57 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Crazy Days, downtown Jackson; 7 a.m., bake sale fundraiser, JCC Post Prom Committee, Leach Furniture; 8 a.m. River Bike Ride, Albertus Field; 8 a.m. to noon, Kids' Fishing Contest on the River, State Street to Ashley Bridge, east side of the river; 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., duck pond and face-painting fundraiser, Historic State Theatre; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art in the Park, Festival Park, north end of Main Street; 9 a.m. cancer fundraiser massages in Festival Park, Little Miss and Little Mister Jackson Pageant at Historic State Theatre; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. kids' inflatable slide, downtown Jackson; 9 a.m. start, Heser Food Wagon at Second Street by the clock tower, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., little kids' Ferris wheel and mini-train at United Prairie Bank's east parking lot, walking taco fundraiser, downtown Jackson; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., beer and brats at American Legion, 411 First St.; 11 a.m. Duck Races on the River at State Street Bridge, "Beauty and the Beast" performed by Prairie Fire Theatre at JCC Performing Arts Center; 1 p.m., free movie, "Cars," at Historic State Theatre; 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. clowns and balloon art, downtown Jackson; 4 p.m., Race Days Parade, downtown Jackson; 5 p.m. and after, barbecue meal, Methodist Church at 900 North Highway and Rhythm of the River and beer garden, Ashley Park; 7 p.m. Jackson Speedway Races, Jackson County Fairgrounds; 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Good Times Karaoke with Larry Clymer, American Legion Club.
SUNDAY: 10 a.m., community church service and picnic, Ashley Park; 1 p.m. First Minnesota Regiment Union Cavalry re-enactment at Fort Belmont, go-kart racing, Jackson County Fairgrounds; 3 p.m. First Minnesota Regiment Union Cavalry re-enactment, Fort Belmont; 5 p.m., Ol' Settlers Picnic, Fort Belmont; 7 p.m.,WWW -- Worship, Word & Watermelon, Fort Belmont.
