Bigger July 4 fireworks show planned in Cape

Downtown Cape Girardeau will play host to a patriotic set of events leading up to a larger fireworks show than in years past for the Fourth of July.

Planned for Independence Day on Spanish Street near the steps of the Common Pleas Courthouse is a celebration featuring performances by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band, a United States naturalization ceremony and recognition of the Southeast Missourian's 2015 Spirit of America Award winner.

A fireworks show on the riverfront at 9:15 p.m. will follow the courthouse event.

The show this year will last longer than in previous years, said Julia Thompson, Cape Girardeau's parks and recreation director, who is overseeing organization of the July 4 events.

About $5,000 more was spent on fireworks, she said, which means a 15- to 18-minute display. The fireworks and entire set of events, dubbed the "2015 Great American 4th of July Fireworks on the River in Cape Girardeau" is being presented by the city, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, River Radio and the Southeast Missourian. Other contributors are Missouri Dry Dock, Osage Marine, Shivelbines, Tower Stone and Rock Co., Cape Christian School and rustmedia.

Jerry Ford, a longtime member of the municipal band, is encouraging attendance by the public to the events before the fireworks show.

"We'll be doing a series of patriotic tunes, and we have an outstanding soloist who will join us," Ford said.

Clayton Hahs of Cape Girardeau will accompany the band for some selections.

Ford also said the band will play a "military medley" and recognize current military personnel and veterans.

The band will play on Spanish Street near the courthouse steps starting at 6:45 p.m.

A naturalization ceremony, which Thompson said will grant United States citizenship to about 20 people, will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. The ceremony begins at 7:15 p.m., and will be followed by music and the Spirit of America Award Program at 8 p.m. The award is presented annually by the newspaper to an individual deemed to represent "the spirit of this great nation: patriotic, loyal, giving, entrepreneurial and so much more," according to a nomination form.

2015 is the second year fireworks and other July 4 festivities have returned to downtown. Fireworks displays and other events were at Arena Park from 2009 to 2013 after a city budget shortage caused the display to be moved. Veterans groups and other donors handled organization of the events and fireworks costs during most of those years.

Thompson said organizers of this year's events are hopeful water levels on the Mississippi River recede by the holiday so the riverfront can be fully used. The river has experienced minor flooding in recent days.

"Moving the fireworks back on the river was a very big deal," she said. "We're excited to see how a bigger show looks on the river."

Some downtown streets, including Spanish, Themis and Water streets, will close to parking and traffic at 3 p.m. July 4. Parking will be available on other downtown streets, and a shuttle sponsored by the casino will run between downtown and a parking lot at the Show Me Center every 30 minutes from 6 to 11 p.m. There is no charge for the shuttle.

If it rains, the fireworks show will be moved to 9:15 p.m. the following night, a Sunday. Weather-related information as it pertains to the downtown events and the fireworks will be broadcast on River Radio stations July 4. River Radio stations also will broadcast patriotic music to coincide with the fireworks show.

Jackson Independence Day Celebration

The city of Jackson will host a family-friendly, day-long celebration on the Fourth of July and will bring back several activities begun last year to help mark the city's bicentennial, said parks and recreation director Shane West Anderson.

The parks and recreation department revealed its schedule for the celebration in a news release sent Friday.

Activities will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Jackson City Park. Admission to the park is free; participation in some events will require an entry fee to support community fundraising causes or fireworks shows.

Food stands, pony rides, children's train rides and an inflatable bounce house will open at 10 a.m. A fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. will cap the day's activities.

Opening/starting times for events are listed below. More information is available by calling the parks and recreation department at 204-8848 or visiting jacksonmo.org.

• 7 a.m.: Independence Day 5K Walk/Run and Children's Fun Run, benefits cancer programs and children's health and wellness at SoutheastHEALTH
• 8 a.m.: Mud Volleyball, a co-ed, double-elimination mud volleyball tournament
• 8:30 a.m.: Helicopter rides, $35 per person, men's softball field No. 2
• 9 a.m.: Car show, features 150 cars, ends at 3 p.m.
• 9 a.m.: Jackson Elks Beer Garden, tickets and ID required, closes at 7 p.m.
• 10 a.m.: Little Miss and Mister Firecracker Pageant, pageant for infants to teens
• 11 a.m.: Rubber duck races on Hubble Creek
• 4 p.m.: Helicopter Golf Ball Drop fundraising event
• 7 p.m.: Pat Schwent and Saxy Jazz live music performance at the band shell, ends at 8 p.m.
• 8 p.m.: Jackson Municipal band live music performance at the band shell, ends at 9:30 p.m.
• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks display

Attendees can spend the day strolling through the park, sampling food and experiencing a variety of entertainment, according to the release.

The municipal pool at the park also will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. July 4. Areas in and around the park, including Parkview Street between North High Street and North Union Avenue, will be closed to vehicle traffic.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

Spanish Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

101 Court St., Jackson, MO