Artifacts 6/18

More Summerfest events: contests, pageants, music

Scott City's Summerfest takes place today and Saturday. It kicks off at 5 p.m. today with a parade with walkers and floats. Pet owners can walk their dogs in the parade if they bring a leash. After the parade there will be a pet contest with categories for the best-dressed, best trick, and pet and owner look-alike. Pet races are planned, and petowners will have the opportunity to get a picture taken with their pet. There will be contests for little Mr. and Miss, Junior Miss Summerfest, and Miss Summer Teen. Karaoke and live music also will be part of the festivities. On Saturday, there will be an 8 a.m. swim meet and a 4 p.m. car racing demonstration. Fireworks will be set off at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Meet me in St. Louis for Muny's season opener

ST. LOUIS -- The Muny in St. Louis opens its 86th season Monday with "Meet Me in St. Louis." Before each performance, from 7 to 7:45 p.m., the audience will be entertained by various cultural and international groups from St. Louis, including the Kahok Dancers, the Argentine Society of St. Louis and the Hispanic Festival. For more information, call (314) 361-1900 or visit the Muny's Web site at www.muny. com.

Shrimp and barbecue fest at Alto Vineyards

ALTO PASS, Ill. -- Alto Vineyards already held its crawfish and barbecue festival earlier this month. Now it's time for the vineyard's shrimp and barbecue festival. The festival runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and will feature Cajun music performed by Dennis Stoughmatt & Creole Stomp. Alto Vineyards is on Highway 127 in Alto Pass.

Gospel and bluegrass music at Wappapello

WAPPEPELLO, Mo. -- Starting at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday, Lake Wappapello Outdoor Theater in Wappapello will present performances by gospel and bluegrass acts. Tonight will feature the gospel music of The McAtees and the gospel and bluegrass of Level Ground. On Saturday, the gospel and bluegrass band Buzzard Run will perform. The theater is across from the Fisherman's Net Restaurant on Highway T. For more information, contact Joyce Boatner at (573) 222-8539 or John Worley at (573) 222-8083.

June Wine Festival to feature barbecue, music

BELKNAP, Ill. -- Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery in Belknap will hold its June Wine Festival from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday with barbecue and music from Carter and Connelly. Cache River Basin is located at 315 Forman Lane. For more information, contact the winery at (618) 658-2274.

Bluegrass music blowout in Dexter

DEXTER, Mo. -- Nine bluegrass bands will be performing at the bluegrass festival being held through Saturday at the Cowtown Cafe in Dexter, 20248 Highway E. The bands are: The Village Singers, New Highway, Green Valley Grass, Midnight Flight, Jim Orchard and Ozark Bluegrass, String Circle, Bill James and the Bluegrass Travelers, Just Us and Brightwater Junction. Performances will run from noon to midnight today and Saturday. For more information, contact Cowtown Cafe at (573) 568-2250.

-- From staff reports