Artifacts 5/7/04

Perryville's Mardi Gras Mayfest underway

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Starting today, Perryville is holding its Mardi Gras Mayfest with parades, live music, food, refreshments, a 5K race and more. The whole event gets underway at 5 p.m. and the parade starts at 6 p.m. Other activities include a decorated bicycle contest and performances by RJ Pronger and Mahathath Music. Events begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, and the day's activities will include the 5K run, a quilt show, Perry County Idol, a dog parade and a mini-tractor pull. For more information, contact the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce at (573) 547-6062.

Azalea Festival in bloom in Fredericktown

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Fredericktown's 2004 Azalea Festival starts at 4 p.m. today and runs until 6 p.m. Sunday. In between, there will be food, pageants, car shows, a carnival, arts and crafts, a pet show and the crowning of the Azalea Festival Queen. Fredericktown is located west of Cape Girardeau on Highway 67 south. For more information, contact the Fredericktown Chamber of Commerce at (573) 783-2604 or the Azalea Committee at (573) 783-3581.

State Troopers Association holds benefit concert

The Missouri State Troopers Association is sponsoring its semi-annual benefit concert at 7 p.m. today at the Farmington Civic Center. The show will feature country music artist Joe Diffie. For information, call (866) 906-6782. Tickets will also be available at the civic center today.

Portland singer coming to Cape Girardeau

Singer-songwriter Brian Granse of Portland, Ore., will be performing at 8 p.m. Saturday at Grace Cafe, 835 Broadway.

Alto and Owl Creek wineries celebrate spring

Alto Pass Vineyards and Owl Creek Vineyards, two Southern Illinois wineries, will hold festivities Saturday and Sunday, featuring wine (of course), food and live music. Owl Creek's Mayfest and Alto's Spring Wine Festival will run from noon until 6 p.m. Alto Vineyard is located on Highway 127 in Alto Pass, Ill., and can be reached at (618) 893-4898; Owl Creek is located at 2655 Water Valley Road in Cobden, Ill., and can be reached at (618) 893-2557.

Ste. Genevieve's houses and gardens on display

The annual Ste. Genevieve Spring House and Garden Tour takes place Saturday and Sunday and includes a tour of six of the historic city's gardens and six French colonial houses. For more information, call (573) 883-2800.

Central's seniors have art on display

The Garden Gallery, at 833 Broadway, Suite 110, is holding an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. today for a senior art exhibition that will feature the work of the Central High School Class of 2004. The students whose work is featured/ were all instructed by teachers Judy Barks-Westrich, Lawrence Brookins and Robert Friedrich. The show will be on display until Wednesday.

New genre work featured at Schock art center

The Scott City art center will feature works by Southeast Missouri State University new genre students Kevin Torrence, Lindsay Hurtt, Peter Lacy and Bo Cook at 8 p.m. tonight. Raincoats are the suggested attire. Schock Community Art Center is located at 116 E. Hickory St. in Scott City.

Heartland Writers Conference deadline

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The general registration deadline for the Heartland Writers Conference is May 20 . The conference takes place from June 3 to 5 at the Best Western Coach House Inn in Sikeston and will feature agents, editors and writers. Information and registration forms can be obtained at www.heartlandwriters.org, or by sending a request to Heartland Writers Guild; P.O. Box 652; Kennett, Mo. 63857 or by e-mail to heartlandwriters@hotmail.com with the subject "attention, Jeanie."

Youth show off their talent

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The 2004 Heartland Talent Contest will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Albritton-Mayer Theater in Sikeston. Amateur performers ages 3 to 21 will be competing for a prize of $75 and the chance to compete in the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn.

-- From staff reports