Libertyfest and air show: 'One big celebration'

Get ready to celebrate your independence with music, fireworks, air shows and more as two annual events -- the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival and Libertyfest -- combine for a major Fourth of July festival.

Originally planned for downtown Cape Girardeau, the recent flooding of the Mississippi River caused event organizers to relocate to the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in a short amount of time. But Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape, said the show must go on.

"The move to the airport has not changed the overall logistics of the event, just the scenery around it," Mills said. "Admittedly the downtown atmosphere is nice and the planned events would have added to Libertyfest, but we will make a different set of footprints here at the airport."

Mills said this year will bring two events the community loves together for the first time, and that's a good thing. Although the fireworks and Libertyfest are free Independence Day staples, the Cape Regional Air Festival is typically held at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and an admission fee is charged.

"I think people will love what we've done to combine the two events," Mills said. "We still have all the best in both events -- like food vendors of all kinds, music all night and even Kidzone -- wrapped up in one big celebration."

The festival's entertainment schedule hasn't changed from its original plan, with music at 3:30 p.m., air show at 5:30 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. There's something for everyone playing at Libertyfest, including the Boone Project, the Mike Renick Band and the Cape Municipal Band.

The air show, normally held the weekend after the Fourth, includes patriotic displays like the missing man formation, in which several planes fly in formation until one breaks away, representing those who have fallen or departed. The Lima Lima Flight Team will demonstrate maneuvers with day and night shows. The Golden Knights, a demonstration and competition parachute team of the U.S. Army, are scheduled for both the opening ceremony and a night show.

Although Mills said organizers are unsure if Libertyfest and the air show will be combined next year, she expects a great turnout this year.

"Despite the difficulties we've had with the flooding this year, it's still been a great planning process, and I can't wait to see it actually come together," Mills said. "And even with the venue change we should have a large crowd. Many people come from surrounding communities every year for Libertyfest and we expect that number to grow with the inclusion of the air show."

Free shuttle service to the event will start at 3 p.m. The route is Hutson's Fine Furniture downtown, Save-A-Lot on Sprigg and William streets and West Park Mall in the J.C. Penney lot near Steak-N-Shake. Two shuttles will run through the day and a third will be added at 9 p.m. to drive people back.

The festival's move has caused numerous other cancellations. First Friday was rescheduled to July 11. Ducks on the Mississippi, the cancer-research fundraiser sponsored by the Southside and Esprit Optimist clubs of Cape Girardeau, is also canceled for now.

No coolers or alcohol can be brought in to the festivities, but there will be a beer garden where alcohol will be sold. For more Libertyfest Airshow 2008 details, visit www.capeairfestival.com or www.oldtowncape.org, or call Old Town Cape at 334-8085 or the Cape Air Festival at 334-6230.

Libertyfest, air show schedule

* 3:30 p.m.: Welcome

• 3:30 p.m.: Matt & Buddy of the Boone Project
• 4:30 p.m.: Mike Renick Band
• 5:15 p.m.: Spirit of America Award presented by the Southeast Missourian
• 5:30 p.m.: Air show starts with simulcast on 1250 AM
• Opening ceremonies, remarks, posting of colors
• National anthem/Golden Knights
• Mike Rinker -- Sukhoi Aerobatics
• Paul Stender's Dodge Ram Jet Truck
• Lima Lima day show
• 7 p.m.: Music by Cape Girardeau Municipal Band
• Dodge Ram Jet Truck
• Angel 7
• Julie Clark twilight show
• Lima Lima night show
• Golden Knights night show
• 9:15 p.m.: Fireworks display