Jackson roundup: Circles of Hope telethon, Leadership Jackson signups, Fleet Feet July 4 fun run and airport symphony fireworks

Steve Bowers and Christy Turnbo opened the June 30 edition of 6 in the City with a round of community announcements and a schedule of July events across Jackson.

The program’s telethon segment introduced organizers for the 43rd annual Circles of Hope telethon benefiting the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Program guests said the telethon will air Aug. 16 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on WBBJ and encouraged early donations; callers may reach the center at (731) 668-4000. Organizers said the telethon will feature live entertainment, storytelling about the center’s work and returning hosts and local performers.

A representative of the Greater Jackson Chamber described Leadership Jackson’s upcoming session, a 13-week program running Wednesdays from Sept. 2 through Dec. 2. Eligibility requires the nominee’s organization to be a chamber member in good standing for six months and the program fee is $1,250; the chamber’s nomination link is leadershipjackson.com. Organizers said the program includes facility tours, networking and alumni opportunities; they noted about 2,500 alumni and roughly 300 dues-paying members who support scholarships and community projects.

Fleet Feet representatives previewed a family-friendly flag-waving fun run on July 4, beginning at 7 a.m. at Fleet Feet (398 Oilwell Road). The advertised 4-mile course can be shortened by participants, and the event will include a shoe demo, giveaways, free snow cones and a free Jackson Road Runners sign-up that day. Organizers asked participants to wear patriotic gear; police traffic control was described as part of safety planning.

Organizers also described a large, free July 4 concert and fireworks event at the Jackson airport. Gates will open at 5 p.m., music will begin at 6 p.m. with the Jackson Symphony scheduled to appear onstage at 8 p.m., and a roughly 20–25 minute fireworks display will follow at about 9 p.m. Event planners said funding includes a county commission allocation and private sponsorships.

Other items on the show included a preview of Downtown Jackson’s First Fridays on July 3 (5–7:30 p.m.) with a kids’ bike parade at 6:30 p.m., arts vendors, live music and family activities; a description of Holy Ground, a rotating citywide prayer and fasting ministry that will host a noon July 6 service at Love and Truth Church (565 Oilwell Road) and provided contact information for Carolyn Rosenberg; and a book preview and signing schedule for Pam Kirk McCarthy’s memoir Grace for Grief, which the guest said releases July 7 with local signings planned.

The show interspersed short public-service spots and studio performances (including multiple songs by musical guest Michael Mays) with the event previews. Hosts closed by encouraging viewers to attend events and brought the studio performance to an end.

Why this matters: The segments consolidate dates, locations, costs and contact information for multiple civic and community events that serve families, nonprofit fundraisers and downtown small businesses. The program’s announcements function as a one-stop schedule for July activities and fundraising in Jackson.

The next step for readers: callers and prospective participants should use the phone numbers and websites announced on air (for example, the Carl Perkins Center at (731) 668-4000 and leadershipjackson.com) to confirm times, registration requirements and any last-minute changes.