Jackson County’s annual John Cason Day will move from July to September, and to a new home at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
Organizer Cherry Ramsey said the event serves to keep her brother’s memory alive by raising money for graduating seniors and local residents in need. Ramsey said the fundraiser supports students pursuing degrees in agriculture or vocational technology while also providing assistance for school trips and community benefits.
“He would be thrilled because that’s what he lived for was to help other people,” Ramsey said. “He would say that’s exactly what he would want, he wanted to always help the students and we’re trying to help people that need help and so he would be thrilled to know that people are continuing their education.”
Ramsey said the event was moved from its traditional July date to avoid extreme summer heat and to coincide with Cason’s birth month.
Ramsey said the celebration will feature food from Helen’s Restaurant food truck, live music from the band Legacy, and activities for children including free bounce houses.
“Well we decided the last year the band got sick and it was just 102 degrees and we decided July was just too hot,” Ramsey said. “We have been doing it at Helen’s restaurant and on that concrete out there it was just too hot, so we made it, we decided to move it to September, which was his birth month and we’re going to do it the end of September.”
Ramsey said the fundraiser generates revenue through a silent auction and a live auction featuring donated baskets and items from the community. Ramsey said the Jackson County Rescue Squad assists with parking at the fairgrounds to accommodate the crowd.
“He’d worked at the funeral home for like 25 years so so many people said he comforted them when they were in distress and he’s just always been a friendly lovable person and people just want wanted to help support him to keep, you know like I said, to keep his memory going and to help others, that’s why we’re doing it so we can help others through him,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey said Cason previously served as the Jackson County Mayor and a county commissioner while remaining active on numerous local committees. Ramsey said the organization has awarded seven scholarships to graduating seniors since Cason passed away in July 2022.
“I just hope they can come out and support us, it’s going to be September 26th,” Ramsey said.
