ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR OPENS TODAY

Hundreds of arts and crafts shoppers will be waiting for the doors to open at the A.C. Brase Arena Building today for the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts' 23rd annual Spring Arts and Crafts Fair.

The event, which runs through Sunday usually attracts between 3,000 and 5,000 people. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with an admission of $1 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

"We have some big events in Cape Girardeau, and people will be taking in several things, including the arts and crafts show," said Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the arts council.

The Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association's Home & Garden Show is going on at the Show Me Center this weekend and the two-day Heartland of America Amateur Cutting Horse Tournament started today at Flickerwood Arena and Stables in Fruitland. It runs through Sunday.

"We have 145 spaces for the spring show," said Strohmeyer. "All will be filled." A total of 120 exhibitors will be on hand.

The show will feature woodworking, jewelry, floral arrangements, clothing, photography, baskets, cakes and candies, clocks, cookbooks, stitchery, dolls, lamps, leather work, candles and more.

Proceeds are used by the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts to match tax dollars from the Missouri Arts Council, which provides educational opportunities and arts events for children, senior citizens and the public.

The council also will sponsor a Christmas Arts & Crafts Bazaar Nov. 18-19 at the Show Me Center. A third arts and crafts show sponsored by the council will be held during a Balloon Festival at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport July 21-23.