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MANSON - As Jerrold Jimmerson gazed down at the photographs, recollections of horror flooded into his mind. Thirty years have passed but the day, the sounds and the aftermath of the Manson tornado are still vivid.

"I remember walking around looking at the damage and how complete the destruction was," Jimmerson said. "We must have been in shock. We were walking afterwards barefoot with the kids, and we didn't even think about the dangers of that." He remembers finding sealed, canned fruit jars with dirt deposited within them.

The tornado exhibit in downtown Manson was part of the community's annual Greater Crater Days celebration. The festivities, originally called Appreciation Days, were started to acknowledge all who contributed to the cleanup and rebuilding of Manson after a tornado flattened portions of the town 30 years ago Sunday.

On display at the exhibit were news clips, photographs and personal accounts collected by the local townspeople. The exhibit also contained several artifacts that survived the tornado, including a bowling ball, matchstick cross and various paper documents.

The tornado struck the town on the evening of June 28, 1979, causing millions of dollars worth of damages, according to reports. Hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged, three churches were demolished, and 25 out of 30 downtown businesses were affected, according to news reports. Three people lost their lives.

In the days and weeks that followed, volunteers from both the Manson area and outside communities poured into the town to clear away debris, take care of displaced families and start reconstructing the town. So many came that residents estimated the town's population of approximately 2,000 people to have doubled, according to an article published shortly after the event. Local businesses also helped out, providing those who had lost everything with clothing and supplies at discounted prices.

But the exhibit brought more to its viewers' minds than just the assistance Manson received in the tornado's aftermath and memories.

"Seeing this shows that these things can happen," Marcella Freese said. "It's important that everyone know this."

People filtered in and out of the exhibit for most of the morning and early afternoon Saturday. Some wanted to remember the past and share their stories. Others viewed the tornado's destruction for the first time.

"My dad has told stories of the tornado since I was little," said Jordan Ukena, a freshman at Manson Northwest Webster, as she and sisters studied the hundreds of photographs on display.

After the tornado left Manson that June evening, a rainbow could be seen arching over the community, said eyewitnesses. Many said the rainbow was a sign of better times to come for the town.

"I would say that most of the businesses that were destroyed or damaged from the tornado were repaired or rebuilt and kept in operation," said Randy Kaiser, president of the Manson Industrial Development Corp.

Today, the town has rebuilt its downtown area, added more homes and is continuing to strive to make the community a better place to live. Greater Crater Days, renamed to draw attention to the 24-mile diameter crater beneath the town, is just one of the ways Manson embraces small town existence and its second chance at life after the tornado.

"I think the town has a very positive outlook," Kaiser said. "We are looking forward to the future and hoping to continue to grow and expand."

This year's celebration featured a truck pull and the Jacob Lee Band on Friday to start off the festivities. The celebration continued Saturday with a parade.

Later people gathered under a large fair tent, visiting with each other, eating barbecue ribs and enjoying live music. The evening featured a game between Manson's minor league football team, the Iowa Eagles, and the Quad City Stallions.

Greater Crater Days activities conclude today, with a brunch from 9 a.m. until noon at the Manson Golf and Country Club. Following the brunch will be the Middleton Two Man Classic golf tournament with all proceeds going to the Joe Middleton Memorial Scholarship fund.

Contact Laura Johnson at (515) 573-2141 or editor@messengernews.net