Three days of music, games, fireworks and more planned for July 4 celebration

A three-day Fourth of July celebration will be highlighted by a country concert, a fireworks display and interesting games July 2, 3 and 4.

The U.S.A. Veterans have planned activities -- from games for young and old to live music from local bands and recording artist Darryl Worley -- to appeal to the whole family at this year's U.S.A. Veterans Independence Day celebration at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

"We're very excited about the events we have planned this year," said Roger Ziegler, executive officer with U.S.A. Veterans.

Worley will perform July 2. The country music artist is an active supporter of veterans and active soldiers in the U.S. military, having performed eight tours to entertain troops in Iraq since 2002. He has won the USO's Merit Award and the VFW's Americanism Award.

After writing for different labels, Worley released his first album, "Hard Rain Don't Last," in 2000 and it spawned three Billboard top 20 singles. Since then his career has been highlighted with hit singles like "Awful, Beautiful Life" and "Have You Forgotten?" Worley will release a new single "Keep the Change" just days before his Cape Girardeau concert.

The self-proclaimed "hillbilly band" Whistle Pig from Carbondale, Ill., will open for Worley.

Tickets are $20 for bleachers, $50 for box seats and $100 for VIP seating and a meet-and-greet with the singer. Tickets are still available and can be bought at the Arena Building box office as well as at www.usa-veterans.org.

In addition to evening entertainment, The "Redneck Games" will start at noon each day and include events like a cap toss, the sure-shot pool game, a two-hole doggy poo toss and toilet seat horse shoes.

"The doggy poo is fake, of course," Ziegler said.

The games will be set up carnival-style, so attendees can try whatever they like. There will be a duck pond for children. The games will have a cost; winners will receive tickets that can be exchanged for prizes.

Ziegler said vendors will be on hand with food and drinks. Coolers will not be allowed, he said, to avoid glass bottles and other hazardous trash. Beer vendors and fair food will be available for purchase throughout the weekend.

The organization recently added arenacross to the July 3 lineup. The event will feature dirtbike races between area riders. Signups and practices start at 2 p.m. July 3, time trials are at 4 and races start at 5. For advance sign up, visit Campus Scooters on Broadway. Tickets for the races are $10 or $20 for box seats.

Indoor entertainment begins at 5 p.m. July 3 with five area bands inside the Arena Building, with long-standing local band Drivin' Rain closing the night.

Timexx Nasty, singer for Drivin' Rain, said he is excited to be a part of the event.

"This will be Drivin' Rain's first show with our two new guitar players," Nasty said. "We've been to Texas twice since the last time we've played in Cape, but this supports the vets and we're proud to be a part of it."

Charleston, Mo., band Distorted Perfection will open the show, followed by What We Call Sanity from Scott City at 6, Americana acoustic band Surtsey at 7 and Rockface Barband at 8.

"It's free to get into the Arena Building," Nasty said. "People can come see the bands for nothing and come in and cool off. The bands will have merchandise for sale, too."

On July 4, fans will be treated with mayhem and destruction as the demolition derby takes to the dirt track. The Southeast Missourian will honor a community member with the annual Spirit of America Award and a fireworks show will bring the activities to an end.

"We have A.M. Pyrotechnics out of Springfield [Mo.,] doing the fireworks," Ziegler said. "He's one of only three people in the country who is certified to make his own fireworks, and having that experience, they put on a great show."

There is no admission for the festival, but there will be costs for some of the events.

"We feel like we can offer something for everyone, and those that want to see the bigger events can pay to see those things," Ziegler said. "We want the event to have the feeling like it's an old-time fair, where people can socialize and enjoy themselves without all the high costs and fast-pace of larger events."

For more information, visit www.usa-veterans.org.

Fourth of July events

U.S.A. Veterans Fourth of July Celebration

All events at Arena Park

July 2

* "Redneck Games," noon

* Food and drink vendors, noon to 10 p.m.

* Darryl Worley concert with opening act Whistle Pig, 7 p.m.

July 3

* Washer tournament, singles at 9 a.m.; doubles at 1 p.m.

* Map-guided family bike tour, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Arenacross, trials at 4 p.m., races at 5

* Multiband concert, 5 p.m.

July 4

* Demolition Derby, 6 p.m.

* Spirit of America presentation

* Fireworks extravaganza

Jackson's July 4 celebration

All events at Jackson City Park

* Independence Day 5K walk/run and children's fun run from HealthPoint Fitness Jackson, 7:30 a.m.

* Car Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Art in the Park, food stands and pony rides, 11 a.m.

* 1700s Colonial America, 1 to 4 p.m.

* Dance performance on the tennis courts, 2 p.m.

* Southern Brothers at the band shell, 7 p.m.

* Jackson Muny Band at the band shell, 8 p.m.

* Fireworks display, 9:30 p.m.