This Week weather plans at Salute to America

It’s time for one of Jefferson City’s main events, Salute to America.

The festivities get underway Saturday, and culminate the evening of July 4th.

Because of the heavy rain in the forecast, Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin joins us for “This Week.”

She starts the conversation by saying plans will not change much for Salute to America.

This is a transcript of the interview:

Mayor Carrie Tergin: No. This is always a fun event, rain or shine. And, you know, the weather’s just part of it. So, we’re doing this no matter what.

Joey Parker: Usually it’s the dead of heat that we have to worry about. But this year it looks like it’s going to be a little bit cooler and a little bit wetter at certain times. Are you going to work some of the major events around the rain time?

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Well, everything has a schedule. You can check out the schedule at salutetoamerica.org. And everything is going on as planned. So, if anything would happen to get rained out they’ll go on to the next event. So, basically events are not going to be postponed or done later. They’ll go by the schedule and hopefully nothing gets rained out. But the good thing is they are so many things happening over this whole weekend. Sunday and Monday July 3rd and 4th there’s a lot of events, so if something were to get rained out there’s still going to be many events that people can enjoy.

Joey Parker: The first big event for tomorrow?

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Yes. Salute to America Concert Inside the Walls at the prison.

Joey Parker: There ya go.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: First time ever.

I know you’re really excited about that. It is, of course, an outdoor show. And if it does rain people can have ponchos, but you’re discouraging umbrellas, right?

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Right. Because with umbrellas people won’t be able to see anything. So we’re discouraging that but we are encouraging rain gear of course. People can dress for the rain. We are looking closely at the forecast and there appears to be a little window where the rain may be lighter that evening. So we’re hoping that it just holds off just for that time of the concert. And this is a first-time-ever event. It is a rain or shine event. And we’re hoping it goes off just fine without the weather. And at the same time, anyone who purchased tickets will enjoy the evening. It’s also something that supports MSP, support for that property and support for doing something there.

And this year, you guys are using an app to help keep up with the events, right?

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Yes. It’s an event app. It’s called the Palaroo App. P-A-L-A-R-O-O, Palaroo App.

Joey Parker: It sounds fun.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Yes. So everyone download the Palaroo App on your phone. You can get up-to-the-minute information so if the rain interferes with any events, that will be posted on the Palaroo App. You can also check out the Salute to America Facebook page. Those two places will be where you can get the most up-to-date information about everything happening during the festivities.

Joey Parker: And, Sunday we have the big parade, of course, in addition to a host of other events, as well.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Yes there is. Tomorrow the parade starts at 6 p.m. And it’s Lincoln University’s 150th anniversary so they’re hosting the parade. And then followed by the Little Miss/Mr. Contest and also the opening ceremonies are Sunday evening. And then you can watch Ozark Mountain Daredevils. They are the free concert at the Capitol and that starts at 8:30 p.m. On the Capitol lawn.

Joey Parker: And that’s in addition to so many other smaller events that are going on throughout all downtown, right?

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Yes, there is. And then on Monday, July 4th, there’s a whole day full of events starting with the bike run that morning, and then the carnival is all day and there’s entertainment on all the stages and all kinds of great things. And that evening is the big concert by Groove Thing at the Capitol on July 4th, followed by the Red, White and Boom fireworks show which is at dusk on July 4th.

Joey Parker: Red, White and BOOM, as you say! Okay. And also, you have t-shirts that you’ll be selling; a souvenir t-shirt for this year. Thank you very much for mine. I’ll wear it with pride.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Yes! I hope you do. First time ever! It’s a t-shirt with the prison on the front so you can show you did a little time at the prison. And, it’s going to be lots of fun. We have shirts available for 20 dollars.

Joey Parker: And you also have a proclamation. Not for me, but you have a proclamation.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: You know, we do because this is a special occasion. So we did a proclamation. We’re declaring, in Jefferson City, Travis Tritt Day tomorrow. So, that’s going to be pretty cool. And the reason is, all of Jefferson City has been sentenced to the Historic Prison on July 2nd, because they’re all in (sings) T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Joey Parker: There ya go. (laughs)

Mayor Carrie Tergin: And if anyone needs to get out of prison, here’s a quarter. They can…

Joey Parker: Call someone who cares.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: (sings) “Call someone who cares.” Good job, Joey.

Joey Parker: Thank you very much.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: See, after my last visit…

Joey Parker: You’re teaching me.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: You’re learning. I’m proud of you.

Joey Parker: Thank you much. We’ll see you this weekend.

Mayor Carrie Tergin: Everybody have a happy and safe 4th of July.