BLOCK PARTY: SOUTH CAPE EVENT SATURDAY

Organizers hope to unite area service agencies and provide a little entertainment for local people when they sponsor a community block party Saturday.

The Healthy Families 2000 Community Block Party will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Fort D next to May Greene Elementary School, 1000 Ranney. Representatives from social-services agencies will kickoff the event at 11:30 a.m. with a parade from the Knights of Columbus Hall on South Spanish Street.

The event is co-sponsored by Cape Girardeau Weed and Seed and the Family Resource Center.

"We want to demonstrate what is good about Cape when we all work together to achieve positive goals and outcomes for all segments of the community," said Sharland G. Reed, Family Resource Center executive director.

Reed said the block party will feature free, family-based activities led by local churches, hospitals and other agencies.

Local dance troupes, choirs and the May Greene Jump Rope Team are scheduled to preform, and representatives from some 25 community agencies and service-provider organizations will be on hand to share information about the services their agencies provide.

Free food and drink will be available throughout the afternoon, and gift certificates and other prizes will be given away.

"We want to emphasize all activities will be free of charge," Reed said. "We have received many donations from the business community and other individuals that will enable us to provide this fun family experience without having to charge a fee."

Reed said the event already could be heralded as a success because of the participation by social-services agencies.

"The mere fact of getting that many agencies to give up their Saturday and go to a nontraditional setting to give information about their services, I think that's a success even if no one shows up," she said.

Although the block party is being sponsored by only two agencies, many more people were involved in its organization. Reed said the small group of agency representatives has decided to continue efforts beyond the block party.

"Without that collaborative support this would not have happened," she said. "The planning committee worked so well together we have decided to continue working together on ongoing community concerns."

Block party schedule

Parade

-- 11:30 a.m. from KC Hall to Good Hope, west on Good Hope to Ellis, south on Ellis to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to Frederick and Ranney, south on Ranney to Fort D.

Entertainment

Main Stage

-- 1 p.m. -- Teen Challenge Choir performs.

-- 1 -- Hard Head Records.

-- 2 -- May Greene Jump Rope Team.

-- 2:30 -- Genesis Dance Group.

-- 3 -- Greater Dimensions Sunshine Band.

-- 3:30 -- Greater Dimensions Youth Choir.

-- 4 -- TBA.

-- 4:30 -- J.C. Stompers, House of Prayer.

Other Entertainment

-- Roaming Magic Show by Bill Coomer.

-- KGMO Live Remote.

-- Kids Bee Fit classes throughout the event.