Cape Girardeau Great American Fourth of July Celebration

Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com

Monday, July 4, 2022

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department held its annual Great American Fourth of July Celebration Monday at Arena Park. Patriotic music performances, fireworks and the Southeast Missourian's annual Spirit of America Award highlighted the event attended by thousands.

Fireworks explode over Arena Park on Monday at Cape Girardeau's municipal Fourth of July celebration. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)
Josh LaMar, director of Cape Girardeau Central High School Band, plays "Taps" in honor of military members who died serving the nation. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)
Southeast Missourian assistant publisher Lucas Presson addresses the crowd as he extols the community service of Wayne Wallingford, the 2022 Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award recipient. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)
Lisa Reitzel sings the national anthem. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)

Attendees applaud members of the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band, led by Neil Casey. The bank played a number of patriotic tunes at the celebration. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)
U.S. Army veterans stand during the playing of "The Army Song" at Monday's celebration. Cape Girardeau Municipal Band played a medley of military branch songs as part of their performance. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)
Southeast Missourian assistant publisher Lucas Presson leads attendees in a reflective moment of silence as fireworks explode in the distance. (Rick Fahr ~ rfahr@semissourian.com)