Jackson Sparks Foundation hosts home run derby competition in honor of 8-year-old
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Jackson Sparks loved baseball, and the 8-year-old who was killed in the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy will be in the hearts of minds of a lot of people in Waukesha Friday night, July 8.
The Jackson Sparks Foundation hosted a home run derby and skills competition at Sunset Park in Waukesha. CBS 58 Anchor Jessob Reisbeck was there to take it in.
"The turnout's been crazy! I'm nervous," said Sheri Sparks, Jackson's mom. "I didn't know that we would have this big of a turnout, but I thought we'd have a big turnout, so I'm super pleased."
Dancers... Many of which were hurt in the Waukesha parade, kicking off the festivities.
Tucker Sparks and kids from all over the area taking their cuts in honor of Jackson. Other competitions included hardest thrower and fastest around the bases.
It's pretty incredible that such an amazing event can come out of something so terrible. But if you know the Sparks family -- and thankfully, we do now -- you know that they are masters at that sort of thing. They take terrible -- add a little Jackson love -- and create something beautiful.
"He'd be smiling. He'd be shy, but he'd love it. He'd be mad on the way home if he didn't win the trophy, but I know he'd love it, though," said Sheri.
"I know Jackson would love this," said Aaron Sparks, Jackson's dad. "I know that he has a passion for baseball, and he's done these things before, so we're super happy."
"He's looking down, excited to watch these boys compete."
The homerun derby was the big draw.
See below for exclusive stories with the Sparks family you'll only see on CBS 58: