Residents of South Jackson neighborhoods are reuniting for the 5th annual South Jackson Parade and Festival this Saturday, April 15, 2023. The event lasts from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., kicked off by a the 5K race and kids’ fun run at 7 a.m.
This gives government agencies, businesses, schools, churches and families a chance to join forces to reduce crime and get to know each other over engaging activities. Event organizer, Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods (ASJN) President Ernest Ward, said the event will be patrolled by over a dozen law enforcement personnel from both JPD and HCSO. Everyone is encouraged to be on his or her best behavior in and around this free family-friendly event.
“We’re trying to bring some positivity back to the community and get people involved in beautifying and taking pride in their community,” Ward said. “I think this will prevent crime with our community working together to identify problems and nip them in the bud and solve them.”
The Parade first began in 2017 as a collaboration between the City of Jackson ASJN at a time of high violent crimes in South Jackson. The parade was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, crime in the area has drastically decreased.
The parade route starts at Save-A-Lot store’s McDowell Road location between Suncrest Drive and Highway 18 West and proceeds to Cardozo Middle School for the festival. Participants include civic groups, neighborhood associations, local and state officials, first responders, sports teams, junior and senior high marching bands and more than 30 vendors in all sectors.
In light of the ongoing trash debacle, ASJN will have extra garbage cans and bags for patrons to dispose of trash accumulated during the parade. Waste bins will be available at the festival’s end point at Cardozo Middle School. Patrons are strongly discouraged from disposing of garbage on the parade route and at businesses nearby. The South Jackson Parade & Festival is planned for nearly a year in advance. Event leaders are making necessary accommodations to make the parade comfortable for everyone during these uncertain times.
Volunteers are still needed to help with setting up vendors and cleaning up the parade route and festival area at Cardozo. Interested individuals can download the volunteer form at http://www.asjn.org.
The mission of Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods is to “establish, enable, and empower individual neighborhood associations of South Jackson.”
