'Apple treats on Jackson streets'

JACKSON — The 83rd annual Jackson Apple Festival kicked off Tuesday to much fanfare.

Jackson High School’s Ironmen’ Marching Band performed for the large crowd gathered in the heart of downtown, the festival’s queen and court were officially crowned and there was a ribbon cutting to inaugurate another great year for the Jackson Apple Festival. The festival’s theme is — “Apple treats on Jackson streets.”

Friday and Saturday’s schedule is published below.

Grand Marshal is Bill Cole, a longtime attorney based in Jackson. In addition to his private practice as a partner at Cole, Kirby and Associates, Cole has served as an assistant prosecuting attorney from 1983 to 1996. Cole has served various community organizations and agencies throughout his career in Jackson County, including the Jackson Gallia Vinton Solid Waste District and the Jackson County Economic Development Partnership. He recently retired as a board member of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served for 39 years. He is a current board member of Buckeye Community Services and a lifetime member of the Jackson Rotary Club.

Don’t forget — Isabella Lunsford serves as queen of the 2024 Jackson Apple Festival with First Attendant being Macy Swann and Second Attendant being Alexia Butcher.

Lunsford is a junior at Oak Hill High School. Her parents are Buck and Megan Lunsford.

Swann is a sophomore at Oak Hill High School. Her parents are Lowell and Emily Swann.

Butcher is a sophomore at Jackson High School. Her parents are Aaron and Cortney Butcher.

Friday, September 20

3:00 pm Apple Pie Judging Contest — Bring to General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Osborne Equipment Co.

5:00 pm TBA– Elks Lodge #466 Stage

• Sponsored by Dave’s Cleaning Service

5:30 pm TBA — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Lewis Ins Agency

7:00 pm Flat Bed Cadillac — Elks Lodge #466 Stage

• Sponsored by Slark’s Tire

7:30 pm Gary Everett — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Jones Stephenson Ins. Agency

9:00 pm Nashville Artist Mark Wills — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by City of Jackson Tourism

Saturday,

September 21

7:00 am Registration — 8 am start, 5 K Run — Elks Lodge #466 Stage

• Sponsored by Kiwanis

9:00 am Pretty Baby Contest — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home

10:00 am Annual Apple Festival Volleyball Tournament at JHS Gym

• Trophy Sponsored by Cole, Kirby & Associates

9:00 am Apple Town Car Show — Registration 9-12 — Judging at 3pm — Manpower Park

• Sponsored by Apple City Motorcycle Club & Gear Grinders

11:00 am Little Queens Contest — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Ohio Valley Bank

12:00 pm Farm Bureau, Hog Wild Contest Winners– General Mills Stage

12:15 pm Ohio Valley Bank, Little Queen Contest Crowning –General Mills Stage

12:30 pm Second Stage DRP and the pbr band

• Sponsored by ServPro of Jackson & Ross

1:00 pm JHS Band Festival — JHS Alumni Stadium

1:00 am Rollerblade & Roller Roo–General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Cavalier Roller Rink

2:30 pm Disciples of Christ — Elks Losdge #466 Stage

• Sponsored by Independent Stave Co.

3:00 pm OSU Alumni Meet & Greet — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Stockmeister Companies

5:00 pm OFEA Queens Reception, Held at Christ United Methodist Church-

• Sponsored by Holzer Health System

5:00 pm Echoes of Appalachia — Elks Lodge #466 Stage

• Sponsored by Slark’s Collision Center

5:00 pm Red Brush Band — General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Jackson County Banking Center — Member VCNB

7:15 pm Dynamic Mention Drum Corps –General Mills Stage

• Sponsored by Arch & Eddies Restaurant

7:45 pm Grand Finale Parade — over 175 units with Band Competition, Float Judging, Ohio Festival & Events Queens — By Invitation ONLY

• Sponsored by General Mills

9:45 pm Announcement of Parade Winners

10:00 pm Announcement of Raffle Winners & Auctions

11:00 pm Festival Official Closes for 2024