AREA CITIES PLAN EVENTS FOR JULY 4

JACKSON -- Communities throughout Southeast Missouri will observe the 216th birthday of the United States on the Fourth of July, which occurs this year on a Saturday. With a few exceptions, most activities will be held on July 4.

Following is a rundown of area Fourth of July activities

Cape Girardeau

The historic Glenn House at 325 S. Spanish will observe a "Victorian Independence Day" starting at about 4 p.m. The house will be decorated in red, white and blue bunting inside and out.

There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, home-made ice cream and lemonade on sale.

In addition, there will be games for the kids with prizes and entertainment by brass bands and barber shop quartets. Craft and antique dealers are tentatively scheduled to participate in the event.

Admission is $1 for adults, 50 cents for children 6-12, and free for those under 6.

Jackson

The Jackson Jaycees July 4 celebration will mark the 178th anniversary of the founding of the city. The daylong activities begin at 8 a.m. with a fun run and 5K run starting from the swimming pool parking lot.

The July 4 parade will start at 9 a.m. and move through the uptown business district out to the city park. This year the parade route has been changed because of construction on West Main Street. The exact route of the parade will be announced later.

Anyone who would like to be in the parade should contact Patty Reisenbicher at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce office, 243-8131.

Immediately following the parade the Jackson Chamber of Commerce will sponsor an auction in the park to raise money for new Christmas decorations. Items that will be auctioned will be displayed on a flatbed truck in the parade. The auction will begin at about 10 a.m.

Mud volleyball competition will begin in the park at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. The competition is limited to 32 teams.

The registration fee is $45, and must be paid before June 30 so brackets can be arranged. To enter the mud volley ball games, contact Eddie Craft at 243-3561 days or 243-1538 nights.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Manasa Galaxy Sound System will play.

This year the Jaycees July 4 will include an expanded car show featuring antique cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual Jackson July 4 horseshoe tournament begins at noon, with competition continuing until 8 p.m.

From 3-8 p.m. there will be live entertainment by Witness.

During the day there will be games for adults and children, including a pie and watermelon eating contest at 4:30 p.m. and a kiddie pedal tractor-pull for children up to 90 pounds starting at 5:30 p.m. The children's games will be conducted by the Jackson Noon Optimists Club. The kiddie tractor-pull is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Young Farmers.

At 7 p.m., children will grease up with shortening for a greased pig contest.

Something new this year at the July 4 celebration is a cow drop classic and adult and children's aerobics classes by Aerobics Plus.

The Cape Girardeau County Firefighters Association will have its smoke house on display, simulating a smoke-filled house.

At 8 p.m. the Jackson Municipal Band will present a holiday band concert at the band shell, followed at 9:30 p.m. by the grand finale fireworks display with music from Y-105.

Allenville

The St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad will operate a special holiday passenger excursion from Jackson to Allenville for the Allenville July 4 Picnic in the city park next to the railroad tracks. There will be a fried-chicken dinner on the train on the way to Allenville. After arriving at the park, homemade ice cream will be served, bingo will be played and there will be a fireworks display. Fare for the round-trip is $22 for adults and $17 for children. Call the railroad ticket office in Jackson, 243-1688, for reservations.

Oran

The annual Oran Knights of Columbus Council 4311 July Fourth Picnic will feature a family-style dinner served on the KC grounds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and again from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes roast beef, fried chicken, ham, and chicken and dressing for $5. Drinks and deserts are free. The cost for children 6-12 is $2.50 and free for those under 6.

A horseshoe tournament begins at 1 p.m., with sign-ups starting at noon. The entry fee for the open tournament (men and women) is $5 per person.

The Golden Slippers band will perform from 4-7 p.m. From 8:30 p.m. to midnight, dance to the music of Charlie's Music Revue.

The fireworks display will begin at about 10:30 p.m.

The Oran July Fourth Picnic is one of the oldest in the area. It has been observed each year since 1908, except for a three-year period during World War II.

Marble Hill

The Marble Hill Optimists Horse Show will begin at 2 p.m.

The city of Marble Hill will present its fifth annual fireworks display starting at about 9 p.m. at the Marble Hill ball park. In case of rain, the fireworks will be set off the night of July 5.

Perryville

Perryville will observe the Fourth of July with a concert in the city park by the Community Band. The fireworks display will begin at about 9 p.m.

New Madrid

The annual New Madrid Riverfront July Fourth Festival is sponsored by the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce. The event will begin at 2 p.m. on the Mississippi River levee, concluding with a fireworks display over the Mississippi River later in the evening.

There will be live entertainment in the River Park, games for children and adults, exhibits and booths, a raffle for a handmade quilt, and food and drinks.

East Prairie

The East Prairie Sweet Corn Festival and July Fourth Celebration will be held June 29-July 4, concluding with a fireworks display the night of July 4.

Dexter

Residents of Dexter will observe the Fourth of July from 8 a.m. to midnight in the East City Park near the airport on Highway 114. Events will include a 5K run, horseshoe, softball, volleyball and tennis tournaments, pageant contests, games and contests for children, and a fireworks display.

Fredericktown

An Old-Fashioned July Fourth Picnic Celebration is planned at Fredericktown Memorial Park. It will include arts and crafts, games, food, homemade ice cream, a 5K run, live music, and fireworks display.

Cairo, Ill.

The annual Cairo Riverboat Days will be held July 2 on the waterfront in Cairo. The highlight of the day is the arrival of the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen steamboats that will make a stop at Cairo during their "Great Steamboat Race" from New Orleans to St. Louis.

Scott City

Scott City's annual two-day Mid-Summer Festival, which is normally held the last weekend of June, was canceled this year because the city was unable to book kiddie rides for the festival. However, city officials have said they are considering holding an Octoberfest instead. If it is held, it will be a one-day event with a parade, games and contests. It would be held in the city park.