Residents will celebrate Jackson Day on Sept. 8
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - Residents of the community will come together to celebrate Jackson Day on Sept. 8 at Johnson Park.

"It's our 30th anniversary," Mayor Mark Seda said. "It's the largest event that we sponsor. We will have rides for all ages. Great Adventure, one of our largest sponsors, has done an enormous amount of work to support the township in our efforts to make it the best community day in the history of Jackson. There will be a ring toss, a dunk tank and plenty of food."

Community organizations will be on hand to share information about themselves with visitors.

A crowd of more than 10,000 people is expected to enjoy the day's activities.

Eric Schubiger, Jackson's director of recreation and senior services, said, "The event will begin with a parade at noon from the Holman School. It will head down Manhattan Street directly into Johnson Park and then around Johnson Park to a reviewing area for all the participants."

Representatives of civic organizations, emergency medical services, police and fire departments will be on hand. There will also be Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and veterans organizations participating in the parade.

Fireworks scheduled for about 9 p.m. will conclude the Jackson Day activities.

Councilman Jason Gudaitis said he expects this year's Jackson Day to be one of the largest turnouts ever.

"There will be excellent vendors and excellent entertainment," said Gudaitis. "There will be a brand new renovated park and I look forward to it. I think it's gong to be a great day."

"This is a wonderful community event which brings people together and helps to get people in Jackson to know each other better," Councilwoman Emily Ingram said. "It's a great way to share the day and make new friends."

"With all the improvements that have been made to Johnson Park, it's better acclimated to entertainment and people will be able to sit down at picnic tables and enjoy themselves," Councilwoman Ann Updegrave said. "The fireworks will be outstanding."

"The theme for this event will be Disco Inferno," Schubiger said, adding that the bands Saturday Night Fever and Bandstand will perform.

Schubiger said there will be about 35 food vendors on hand and many informational vendors and there will be rides and games for the children and for the adults.

"Our public works and public safety department have been very helpful in getting the park area ready from a parking standpoint," Schubiger said. "We have been working with public safety regarding traffic and crowd control."

A Jackson Day committee has been working closely with Schubiger for the past four months, Members of the committee include resident Donna Bussiculo.

"Donna has been very helpful in getting the school district involved and setting up the day," said Schubiger.

Other members of the committee include Police Officer John Pejoski, who has taken the lead in organizing the parade, and Cici Seda, the mayor's wife, who is also on the committee.

"Those three people, in addition to the full-time staff in recreation, have been doing a lot of the work, getting the vendors together, " Schubiger said. "The bottom line has been a coordinated event among many people. It's all hands on deck for the event and I'm excited about it."

The rain date will be Sept. 9.

Parking at the site has been expanded to accommodate more vehicles and there will be additional parking at the Holman School.