2009 Libertyfest put on hold in Cape Girardeau

Marla Mills, director of Old Town Cape, announced today in a news release that this year's Libertyfest July 4 celebration has been put on hold. Below is information from the news release. Look for more later on seMissourian.com:

The Board of Directors of Old Town Cape have announced they will put plans for the 2009 Libertyfest event on hold.  The event traditionally features a fireworks display over the Mississippi River on the 4th of July holiday. 

Although disappointed at the prospect of losing the event, the Board noted that covering the costs of the event has grown increasingly difficult.  Over the years, the event has been sponsored by a number of businesses and organizations in the community and these sponsorships have been greatly appreciated.  However, Chris Hutson, President of Old Town Cape noted, "In the current economic environment we are concerned about the availability of sponsorship dollars.  We need to be responsive and sensitive to the economic realities our businesses face.  We just feel that it would be too difficult for our sponsors to cover the cost of the event, and as a not-for-profit organization, we would not have the funds necessary without those relationships."

Old Town Cape will continue to promote the downtown in as many ways as possible and will look for additional opportunities to make it a place where citizens of Cape Girardeau want to live, work and play.