Jackson Jubilee: Information fair open to post community

By Susanne Kappler, Fort Jackson LeaderAugust 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Newcomers and seasoned members of the Fort Jackson community alike are invited to the installation’s Jackson Jubilee, which is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday at the Solomon Center. The event will provide Soldiers, family members, civilians and retirees the opportunity to learn about what services are available to them, both on- and off-post.

“Jackson Jubilee is an information fair for anybody who’s interested in learning more about what is available in Columbia, as well as on Fort Jackson,” said Elizabeth Maher, Army Community Services outreach coordinator.

More than 50 commercial vendors will be on hand to offer information, product samples and door prizes. In addition, numerous Fort Jackson agencies will be present to introduce their services.

The vendors represented include restaurants; health, beauty and wellness providers; schools and colleges; financial institutions; and tourism venues. The grand door prize will be a three-day cruise for two people.

Jessie Stevenson, commercial sponsorship and advertising sales program manager with Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said the response from the greater Columbia community to participate in the event was tremendous.

“People have really been excited about this opportunity. We have various other events on post, but none ... like this one where we invite the entire community to come out,” Stevenson said. “It’s one of the most exciting things that I’ve had an opportunity to work on in a while.”

Some of the Fort Jackson organizations represented include Child, Youth and School Services, Balfour Beatty Communities, ACS, family readiness groups, housing mayors, chapels and Victory Travel. Although the event is not a job fair, employment seekers will be able to receive information, both from the Employment Readiness Program and the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center. Janice Parsons, a CPAC representative, said that among other information available, spouses can learn about noncompetitive appointment of eligible military spouses to competitive service positions.

Maher said a number of child-friendly attractions will also be available, such as bounce houses, face painting, visits from Captain MWR and Sammy the Patriotic Clown and the Directorate of Emergency Services’ smoke house, which demonstrates fire safety measures.

Eric Horner will provide musical entertainment for the event.

Although the Jackson Jubilee may be especially beneficial to people new to the area, Stevenson said all community members can benefit from attending.

“There are numerous businesses that are popping up all the time. Information changes all the time,” she said. “It’s not only an opportunity to come out and get a door prize, it’s an opportunity to become well-informed about all the businesses ... that are available to you.”

She added that many of the vendors represented offer military discounts.

“They all cater to our military community, because they realize how important this community is to the outside,” she said. “”My hope is that this event connects clients and businesses. Each party has the opportunity to exchange information. (This will) allow our Soldiers and families the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding the types and levels of services available to them.”

Maher said she hopes that in addition to providing information, the Jackson Jubilee will also be fun for all who participate.

“I think it’s going to be a great event. We look forward to having people come out and enjoy all the activities we have,” she said. “I think it will be a good time for everybody.”

The Jackson Jubilee is free and open to all military ID card holders.