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Fog/Mist ~ River stage: 33.68 Rising Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
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Libertyfest, air show may join forcesMonday, February 25, 2008At this summer's Libertyfest the sky over the Mississippi River in downtown Cape Girardeau could be filled with both fireworks and airplanes. An attempt is being made to combine the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival with Cape Girardeau's annual Fourth of July celebration. The plan, which could be finalized in the next week or so, calls for Libertyfest to begin about 5:30 p.m. July 4 as usual. The air show, an abbreviated version of the festival usually staged at the airport, would be presented before and at twilight. Last year's air festival lost money. It began only two days after Libertyfest and the tarmac sizzled with oppressive heat. "It was so close to the Fourth of July people didn't have a chance to recuperate," airport manager Bruce Loy said. He said Cape Girardeau city manager Doug Leslie has wanted him to move the air show to an every-other-year schedule for some time. "Since the Fourth of July is on Friday, we thought we would give that a chance for one year," Loy said. Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills said her organization, which sponsors Libertyfest, and Loy have to produce an exact schedule of events before the U.S. Coast Guard will approve closing the river. "Right now it's a domino game," she said. She said Old Town Cape's Libertyfest will look much the same as in past years, with music by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band and other musical groups and a few vendors. Both the airport and Old Town Cape should spend less on a combined show, Loy said. About 8,000 people attended last year's air festival. It cost $150,000 to stage and lost more than $37,000. The festival included Friday night events and two shows on Saturday. Loy said the ability to combine the events this year won't be certain until he is sure he can get sponsors. Like Libertyfest, the air show will be free to the public. Loy doesn't yet know who might perform. "It won't be anything like the shows we do at the airport," he said. Certain parts of the usual air show can't be presented downtown, such as jet-powered trucks and static airplane displays. Loy assumes the military will participate. Finding a place for the Golden Knights Army parachute team to land downtown is one obstacle the organizers are trying to overcome. Combining the two events will introduce some new people to air show activities, Loy said. "If we go back to the airport they'll have a better idea of what to expect. "It will be a fun event if we can make it happen." 335-6611, extension 137 Comments  Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on semissourian.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
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I say scrap both events and bring back River Fest.
I think combining them is a good thing. It seems to want to emulate the Fair of St. Louis (VP Fair for people who may or may not know the "newer" name) and I think it is a good thing. I just wish they had more named acts (perhaps adding the music festival to things). Or maybe not. I'm not certain the downtown could handle it.
Capjohn, what was Riverfest? I've only lived in Cape Girardeau for the last couple of years and don't know all of festivals. How was it different from the Libertyfest?
I don't understand everyones love of riverfest. I'm young so I don't really remember it too well, but it just seemed like a poor duplication of SEMO fair.
When my kids were small, we always looked forward to Riverfest. The kids loved the turtle races! For weeks ahead of time they were looking for a "fast" box turtle and then spent hours "training" them for the races for which they always brought home a ribbon! :) There were street performers, craftsmen selling their goods, food vendors, music, carnival rides, and it was lots of fun! I think there was a BBQ competition, etc... I loved the fact that it was celebrating the significance of our location on the Mighty Mississippi! I think with the beautiful floodwall murals and the Emerson Bridge, it would be such a great time to revisit Riverfest.
RiverFest turned into a big beer bust and not a family event. Libertyfest has been great for a family. If you want to party, the go in the bars.
I'd much rather Riverfest and I disagree that it turned into a "beer bust". If you remember it was the beer tents that caused the problem. One had to buy a ticket to buy a beer and then sit in the tent to drink it. People didn't like it and preferred to attend the SEMO fair and social church fairs where one can walk around with a libation in public. There were no more police problems than on an ordinary weekend night downtown.
But the teetotalers won and Riverfest went pffff.
I agree... bring back Riverfest!!
riverfest was only fun if you liked being around drunk and high people or if you are drinking yourself so those who were drunk weren't so annoying. it's just another excuse for people to get drunk, drive drunk, and get into fights!!!!as for the cape air show why do you have to have it during the hottest time of year. the air show was miserable it was so hot. i will never go back!!!!