Community Calendar

Recreational and entertainment opportunities available in a community helps a newcomer assimilate and feel at home.

The Cape Girardeau area offers riverboat dockings, arts and crafts shows, music festivals, community fairs, sporting events, concerts, car shows, air shows, trade fairs, parades and many other community-wide events.

Further information on attractions and events can be found in "Tipoff," a free monthly publication distributed at many fine restaurants and other area businesses. A calendar of events is included along with feature articles covering entertainment and attractions for the month.

In addition, be sure to check the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau's daily newspaper, for information to keep readers up-to-date on local and regional activities. Also, you can check the newspaper's Web site at www.semissourian.com.

January

The year starts off with a bang with Cape Girardeau's Community Winter Garage Sale. Sponsored by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, the big sale is held in the Osage Center. There were 70 booths in January 2006 and thousands of people attended. The Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau plays host to the popular Indoor Soccer Tournament, and there is seating for up to 7,000 spectators. Jammin' Gym Month at the Arena Building in Arena Park is a peppy event. A cordial breakfast in honor of Martin Luther King Day is held at the Show Me Center.

February

The Longhorn Championship Rodeo at the Show Me Center attracts thousands of fans who enjoy bucking broncos, calf roping and more. The KGMO/Budweiser Sports Show always draws large and enthusiastic crowds to the Show Me Center. The SEMO Gun Show, which is held four times during the year, attracts vendors from several states. It is held in the Arena Building. Also held in the Arena Building this month are the Antique Flea Market and Capaha Antique Car Club Swap Meet. Cape Central High School hosts the annual Doctors/Lawyers Basketball Game, which is a charity event.

March

In terms of attendance, the Semo Homebuilders Home and Garden Show is one of the Show Me Center's most popular events. Large numbers of businesses and homeowners participate to display their wares and merchandise. The Lions Club Pancake Day at the Arena Building starts early and ends late -- bring your appetite. The annual Woman's Care Conference is held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. The Optimist Chili Day is an club-sponsored activity that brings a lot of visitors to the Arena Building. Hold onto your seats when the Monster Truck Nationals rumble and tumble at the Show Me Center.

April

The ever-popular annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive is a must-see and must-do. The natural beauty of the area blooms in all its glory. The drive, which is held in late April, weaves through Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger and Scott counties. Many historic towns, villages and points of interest can be visited and enjoyed, and there are vendors along the route. A youth soccer tournament, sponsored by CAYSA, draws about 70 very motivated teams to Southeast Missouri State University's sports complex at the corner of Sprigg and Bertling streets. The Showboat Triathlon is sponsored by the city's Parks and Recreation Department and the university's Recreation Sports Department. Put on your speedos and pedal along in the Tour de Girardot Cycling Classic. The SEMOtion Relays at the university features track and field teams from across the country.

May

Black Forest Villages, off Route W in Cape Girardeau, comes into play in May when it's the site of the annual Western Days and Spring Craft Show. Exhibitors dress in 1880's attire, and visitors enjoy walking through old-style buildings such as the post office, barbershop, general store and livery stable. Kids like the horse-drawn wagon rides. There is kettlecorn and apple cider as well as handi-crafts. In Perry County, the Perryville Mayfest is held annually on The Square, which is the center of downtown Perryville. The Square resembles Colonial-era America with its gazebo, cobblestone streets and wooden benches. Mayfest brings entertainment, pageants and other gaieties. May ushers in a variety of activities in Cape Girardeau. The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has its Spring Arts Festival -- ArtsCape -- downtown. ArtsCape features art, music, food and activities for kids such as face painting. A regional volleyball tournament is held at Arena Park. On the calendar are the CAYSA City of Roses Volleyball Tournament, the CAYSA Rec Tournament, the Memorial Day Band Concert in Capaha Park and the always popular Historic Homes Tour. Southeast Missouri State University holds its commencement exercises in May. And don't miss the Dogwood & Azalea Festival in Charleston, which makes for a nice drive south.

June

June is the month of Cape's annual Riverfest celebration that is held along the busy and colorful downtown waterfront. A 5K run begins the festivities, which include a variety of bands and carnival rides. The annual SEMO Kennel Club Dog Show is held at the Arena Building, and dog owners come from far and wide to show off their pets. June heralds the beginning of the weekly outdoor Municipal Band concerts at tree-lined Capaha Park. The SEMO Gun Show sets up at the Arena Building, and Scott City hosts its annual Summerfest activities that includes pageants. The Sweet Corn Festival in East Prairie makes for a nice destination drive.

July

Most nearby communities -- Jackson, Scott City, Chaffee, Marble Hill and Perryville -- sponsor Fourth of July celebrations. In Cape Girardeau, there is a mighty fireworks display over the Mississippi River. Aerial color bursts are launched from a barge on the river, and the vivid patterns can be seen from far away. The Cape Regional Air Festival is held in July, and civilian and military aeronautic demonstrations are dramatic and sensational. At the festival in 2006, a boomerang-shaped B-2 Stealth Bomber flew by for the first time. Various types of aircraft are always on display on the tarmac, and there are plenty of vendors for refreshments. Outdoor Municipal Band concerts continue at Capaha Park. The weekly concerts in the pleasing confines of the terraced park band shell feature community leaders as "guest conductors." Historic Glenn House in Cape Girardeau is the scene of a lawn party. The Missouri Symphony Pops Concert is at Arena Park. Kelso in Scott County holds its annual Summerfest. Visit Riverfront Park and see the Delta Queen and the Missouri Queen steamboats dock during the Great Steamboat Race. Glenallen Days is celebrated at Glenallen in Bollinger County.

August

In nearby Ste. Genevieve County, the Jour de Fete in Ste. Genevieve affords a fine occasion to view this historic Mississippi River town settled by the French in the 1700s. There are plenty of colorful hot-air balloons that fill the sky. In Sikeston, the much-ballyhooed Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo features the top cowboys in the country and one of the biggest award purses on the professional rodeo circuit. Chaffee German Days is held in Chaffee at Frisco Park on the first weekend of the month. St. Vincent de Paul Seminary Picnic is held on the first weekend of August at Seminary Grove in Perryville. Jackson hosts its annual Homecomers Celebration for several days, which pays tribute to the city's famed heritage. The annual BBQ Festival is held in Cape Girardeau at Arena Park. Benton celebrates Neighbor Days downtown, and Oran holds its Fall Festival.

September

It seems that everyone comes to the annual SEMO District Fair at Arena Park -- it's the oldest fair in the state and runs for a week. The mid-way is like a small city -- all lit up with vendors everywhere. Attendance records are set yearly. Well known entertainers perform at the grandstand all week. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the annual River City Rodders Car Show in Capaha Park. In downtown Cape, there is the annual City of Roses Music Festival. A very energized high school volleyball tournament -- with 25 regional teams participating -- is sponsored by Southeast Missouri State University. The East Perry Community Fair is held on the fourth weekend in September at the fairgrounds in Altenburg. The fair is well known for its mule-jumping competition. Labor Day is hailed in style with a concert in Capaha Park. Morley has its Fall Festival early in the month. Sikeston celebrates the importance the cotton industry has played in the area with its Cotton Festival. The university hosts Family Weekend either in late September or early October. There is the Bollinger County Fall Festival in Marble Hill, and in East Prairie enjoy Living History Day at Big Oak Tree State Park.

October

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport sports a Skydiving Boogie. The Saxon Fall Festival is held at the Saxon Lutheran Memorial in Frohna in Perry County. It's Harvest Festival time at the Marble Hill Ball Park where kids compete in beauty pageants, talent shows and tractor pulls. Oran hosts Old-Fashioned Day. The Fall Harvest Festival in Ste. Genevieve on the third weekend of the month features hot air balloons, historical tours and street musicians. The Women's Show at the Show Me Center is a well attended event. Zonta hosts a fashion show. Scott City holds its annual Railroad Day at the site of the historic caboose on Main Street. The Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming activities are an impressive area highlight. The SEMO Gun Show returns to the Arena Building. The the Heartland's Women Show is held at the Show Me Center. Don't forget the Crowley's Ridge Rendezvous in Commerce where you can relieve a bygone era during this pre-1840 living history weekend along the Mississippi River. There is an Octoberfest at Black Forest Villages, the Fall Foliage Drive, Harvest Fest at Pioneer Orchard, and the Halls of Horror and Halloween Happenings at the Arena Building. There are also haunted hayrides at Rocky Holler. A haunted ghost town awaits the brave at Black Forest Villages.

November

This month is notable for crafts. "Christmas at the Show Me Center" is a very special and exciting arts and crafts extravaganza. It's a great event to attend to stir up the holiday spirit. Talented crafters from far and wide show their wares for an entire weekend. River Valley Crafts Expos are crafts fairs held at the Plaza Conference Center and the Arena Building. Notre Dame Regional High School students participate in the annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show held at The Bavarian Halle in Fruitland. A big indoor garage sale is held at the Arena Building, where there is sure to be plenty of crafts. At Cape County Park, the annual Christmas Lights Display is a night-time delight for passing motorists.

December

Bundle up for the Lighted Christmas Parade through downtown Cape. There are plenty of floats that businesses, civic groups and other organizations build and decorate. People line the sidewalks for blocks. There is also the annual Holiday of Lights Tour through town. The Christmas Home Tour is sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and Lutheran Family and Children's Services. It's a good Yuletide idea to visit the Christmas Open House at historic Glenn House, which is restored and preserved in its original turn-of-the-century Victorian splendor. The boys' Christmas University-High School Tournament is played at the Show Me Center. Also at the Show Me Center is the girls' HealthSouth Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament. In East Prairie it's Country Christmas in all its splendor.