Independence Day events across Southeast Missouri

Fireworks, tournaments, car shows and live music -- no other holiday spells summer fun quite like the Fourth of July. Communities all over Southeast Missouri will celebrate Independence Day in their own ways. Some festivals start today, others over the weekend. Here, SE Live presents a rundown of a few events for your Fourth.

But remember to celebrate safely. Extreme heat and little rain have led to no-burn orders across the area, and they all include fireworks warnings. Local officials advise against it, but if you must have your own show, be careful and be mindful of fires. And if you drink, don't drive. Police will be out in full force making sure you and everyone else stays safe on the road.

Faith, family and freedom Saturday

This Marble Hill celebration will begin 10 a.m. Saturday at Magnolia Park with live music and a barbecue cook off. At noon, the Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker Pageant will take place. There will also be a best apple pie contest at 2 p.m. A free concert featuring Mitch Pullen and The Freemans will begin at 7 p.m. For more information call 573-238-1041.

Bootheel Barley Bash

Floyd Sullivan, left, and Lester Barger compete in the washers tournament during the USA Veterans' July 4th celebration on Saturday, July 2, 2011, at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. (Kristin Eberts)

Scott City Bootheel Harley-Davidson's festivities kick off at noon Saturday with a bikini car and bike wash and a salute to veterans ride, "Kickstands Up." A burn out pit opens at 1 p.m., the car and bike show starts at 4:30 p.m., and a burn out contest starts at 6:30 p.m. The event also features live entertainment, with the Alex Beaird Band at 4 p.m., local rock band the Bone Kings playing at 7:15 p.m. and Matt Steel premiering music video "Born to Ride." Country Music Association award winners Curtis and Lucky take the Bootheel stage at 8:45 p.m. All events are by donation only, with money raised benefiting the Missouri Veterans Home. For more information, call 334-7716 or go to bootheelhd.com.

Cape Girardeau USA Veterans celebration

The activity in Arena Park will begin with washers tournaments at 9 a.m. A demolition derby will take place at 6 p.m. in the Arena Park grandstand, and the Southeast Missourian's Spirit of America Award will be presented before the derby. Booths selling food and merchandise will be set up throughout the day. The festivities will conclude with a firework display. For more information, call 587-3932 or go to usa-veterans.org.

Fourth at the Fort

Visit historic Fort D and relive the story of how it protected Cape Girardeau during the Civil War. There will be cannons firing, period rifles and meals 1860s-style.

David Vaeth shot this photograph of Jackson's fireworks display from the roof of the Andrew Jackson last year. That's the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in the foreground.

Cape Municipal Band

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band began its 85th season May 28 and continues its tradition with a patriotic theme for July 4. This is conductor Ron Nall's 20th Independence Day salute, and it begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Capaha Park band shell in Cape Girardeau.

Jackson celebration

Jackson Parks and Recreation will host its annual July 4th celebration at Jackson City Park. The celebration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 10 p.m.

The schedule of events includes a mud volleyball tournament at 8 a.m., a car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jackson Elks Lodge's beer garden from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Art in the Park and food stands and pony rides opening at 11 a.m., swimming at the Jackson Municipal Swimming Pool from 1 to 5 p.m., a colonial encampment from the 1700s from 1 to 4 p.m., live entertainment by Pat Schwent and Saxy Jazz from 7 to 8 p.m. and the Jackson Municipal Band from 8 to 9:30 p.m., and a fireworks display beginning at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 204-8848 or go to jacksonmo.org.

Over 2,000 people fill the grandstand at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau Monday, July 4, 2011 to watch the fireworks display during the USA Veterans Fourth of July celebration. (Laura Simon)

Independence Day 5K

The Independence Day 5K Run and Walk supports SoutheastHEALTH's cancer programs, along with children's health and wellness programs. To participate in the event, register by 5 p.m. on July 3 at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau or Jackson, or online at active.com. The 5K will begin and end at HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson. Registration includes a T-shirt and give-away bag. Childcare will be available during the event. For more information, call Health Point Fitness at 243-2211 or visit SEhealth.org/HealthPoint.

Oran picnic

For more than 100 years, Oran has been celebrating Independence Day with this special event at Guardian Angel School. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet-style dinner from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4 with roast beef, fried chicken, dressing and trimmings along with drink and dessert. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12, free for children younger than 6. There will be musical entertainment from 3 to 10 p.m. Turtle races start at 4 p.m., wagon rides will be from noon to 6 p.m., a horseshoe tournament starts at 1 p.m., and bingo at 7 p.m. The fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m. For more information, call 243-6362.

jsamons@semissourian.com

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

299 Magnolia St., Marble Hill, MO

1998 E. Outer Rd., Scott City, MO

410 Kiwanis Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO

920 Fort Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

1400 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

E Independence St, Jackson, MO

410 W. Main St., Jackson, MO

514 Church Street, Oran, MO