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The second Uncle Sam Jam offers entertainment for young and old in Inverness.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 9, 2001
INVERNESS -- A large crowd shook off the summertime blues Saturday and enjoyed themselves at the Uncle Sam Jam held at the Courthouse Square.
The small-town ambience of the Courthouse Square was a perfect match for the old-fashioned, Independence Day celebration. Dozens of children started the event by decking out their bicycles and wagons with red, white and blue crepe paper and small American flags. Many residents walked the square, pausing occasionally beneath the shade of a storefront canopy to visit with friends. There was even a blueberry pie contest and an electric train for people to ride.
The Uncle Sam Jam also featured the grand opening ceremony for the Smithsonian Institution's "Yesterday's Tomorrows" traveling exhibit, which will be in the Historic Courthouse Museum through Aug. 11. The ceremony consisted of short speeches by area dignitaries.
"I love Citrus County. I'm proud of its citizens and the dream they have to keep their heritage alive," said U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman, reflecting on both the Smithsonian exhibit and the work by the Citrus County Historical Society in renovating the Old Courthouse.
The Uncle Sam Jam, which began under humid skies at 5 p.m., offered plenty to keep the younger children active. Their parents and grandparents would enjoy themselves at the street dance after sunset.
After the bike parade, many children lined up at one of the two Moonwalk Jumparoo games, which featured a tent filled with a large air bag used for jumping. They also dug for coins buried in a sandbox and ate slices of watermelon.
Many people said they felt that if such a large crowd attended an outdoor event in the middle of a Florida summer, the Courthouse Square should be used on a regular basis.
"I just wish they had more events; this is such a wonderful place," said Lillian Napolitano, who was painting patriotic patterns on children's faces and nails. Napolitano owns the Rock and Roll Hair Salon in Inverness and often provides face and nail painting as a community service.
The Uncle Sam Jam, now in its second year, is sponsored by the Inverness Olde Town Merchants Association. Winston Perry, president of the association, said this year's event proves that the Courthouse Square can be the gem of the downtown.
"There's such a friendliness and nice feel to this place that it's hard to duplicate just anywhere else," Perry said.