BOATS, TRAINS AND SKYROCKETS

The race is on along the Mississippi River, but this time spectators will be welcome.

Visitors hoping to get a glimpse of the river stage by climbing the Cape Girardeau floodwall in May were issued a summons or stiff warning by the police department. But since the Mississippi has dropped to a benign level, everyone is welcome to witness a time-honored Fourth of July weekend tradition: The Great Steamboat Race between the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen.

There will be a myriad of other Fourth of July weekend activities such as Malden's Tammy Wynette reunion concert with George Jones, Iron Mountain and Southern Steam Railway rides, a sweet corn festival in East Prairie, and fireworks at Cape's Arena Park on Monday and at Jackson on Tuesday.

Although the Great Steamboat race has developed into a symbolic trek rather than a serious race From New Orleans to St. Louis, the stop in Cape Girardeau promises to be a welcome sight Monday.

Due to this year's flood, traffic along the Mississippi came to a complete halt during May and early June. Much to the delight of officials at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, however, river traffic and the tourism interest it generates are back to normal.

"Now that the floodgates have been opened and traffic has resumed, it will be nice to see boats like the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen once again," said Kim Groves, Convention and Visitors Bureau group tour planner.

The boats are scheduled to arrive in Cape Girardeau at 11 a.m. and remain until 3 p.m. There will be a banner contest and an opportunity to take pictures of the boats.

"The boats will not be open to the public, but taking the family downtown and getting a look at them would still be a fun thing to do," Groves said. "We've always seen good crowds for this."

There is a rich history to the Great Steamboat Race. A century ago folks who frequented various points along the river could cite boat, captain, route and running time of famous steamboat races. The most renowned of all was the 1870 race of the Natchez and Robert E. Lee.

When the boats left New Orleans, thousands of curious spectators lined the banks of the Mississippi River to watch. Wagering was heavy over which boat would win the symbol of racing supremacy: the Golden Antlers.

In just three days, 18 hours and 14 minutes, the Robert E. Lee steamed into St. Louis on the Fourth of July to set a paddlewheel steamboat record that has never been broken.

The current steamboat race, which has taken place every year since 1978, retraces the route of that legendary contest. The race between the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen covers 1,135 river miles during an 11-night cruise.

Passengers and members of the crew also compete in a variety of contests held in port cities along the Mississippi. The team scoring the most points wins the coveted Commodore's Cup for their boat's captain.

The cup, which is presented during special ceremonies, has been awarded 10 times. The Mississippi Queen has won it three times, the Delta Queen six. The boats tied in 1990.

A separate prize, the Golden Antlers, is awarded to the fastest boat on the river during a speed race into St. Louis July 4. Last year the Mississippi Queen won the Antlers for the 10th time. The Antlers have graced the pilot house of the Delta Queen six times. The boats tied in 1990.

The Great Steamboat Race isn't the only mobile Fourth of July weekend holiday offering. The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway will have a five-hour round trip excursion from Jackson to Allenville on Saturday.

The train will depart Jackson at 6 p.m. and will serve a dinner on the trip. The train will stop for homemade ice cream and a fireworks display. Adults may board for $29.50 and children ages 3-12 for $24.50. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 243-1688.

The Iron Mountain Railway will also have two Saturday and Sunday afternoon trips. The 90-minute trip will include free watermelon. Adults may board for $8 and children ages 3-12 for $4.

In Cape Girardeau, a lawn party from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Glenn House will feature horseshoe and washers competition along with croquet and lawn games. Those in attendance will also have an opportunity to savor homemade ice cream after lunch. The lunch is free.

Tours of the Glenn House are $3 for adults. The Glenn House is located at 325 S. Spanish in Cape. For more information call 334-1177.

The Missouri Symphony Society's Pops Orchestra concert, originally scheduled for Monday at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau, has been canceled due to a lack of funding. However, there will still be fireworks at the same location beginning at 9:15 p.m. The fireworks are being sponsored by the Joint Veterans Council.

Malden will hold its annual Independence Day parade at 10 a.m. Saturday in advance of the annual Tammy Wynette concert, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday. Evening fireworks will be presented at Tammy Wynette Park.

Wynette and Jones are on a reunion tour to support their duet album "One." The renowned country music duo will open the show with a set together followed by individual performances before reuniting for a grand finale.

Talk of a reunion tour began in 1994, some 19 years after their divorce when Wynette joined Jones for a repeat performance of their No. 1 hit "Golden Ring" on Jones' "Bradley Barn Sessions" album.

The Annual Sweet Corn and Fourth of July Festival in East Prairie will take place from Saturday through Tuesday. A lip-synching contest, beauty pageants, a parade, street dance, gospel singing and all-day barbecue will be topped off with a fireworks display.

Jackson will hold a 5-K run and walk competition at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. For more information call 243-7026.

The Jackson Jaycees will have a busy Fourth of July agenda at the City Park that includes mud volleyball, a magic show (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.), a craft show (beginning at 10 a.m.), Jackson Municipal Band performance (8-9 p.m.) and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Fourth of July weekend events

JACKSON, Saturday through Tuesday -- Allenville dinner trip aboard St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. Five-hour trip includes homemade ice cream and fireworks display at Allenville Park. Day trips will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday and will last an hour and a half. Jackson Jaycee Fourth of July celebration Tuesday includes fun run/walk at 7:30 a.m., magic shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., pie- and watermelon-eating contests, Municipal Band concert from 8-9:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Sunday and Monday -- On Sunday a lawn party will be at the Glenn House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A lunch and homemade ice cream will be free. Tours through the Glenn House will cost $3 for adults. On Monday the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen riverboats will dock at downtown Cape Girardeau from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A fireworks display will take place at Arena Park on Monday at 9:15 p.m.

MALDEN, Saturday through Tuesday -- Annual Tammy Wynette Fourth of July Parade, at 10 a.m. Saturday, and concert Tuesday featuring Tammy Wynette and George Jones. The reunion concert will begin at 6 p.m. at the Tammy Wynette Park.

EAST PRAIRIE, Saturday through Tuesday -- Annual Sweet Corn and Fourth of July Festival. Lip-synching contest, beauty pageants, parade, street dance, gospel singing, all-day barbecue and fireworks display.

ALTENBURG, Sunday -- A picnic will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, 3 p.m.

NEW MADRID, Tuesday -- Festival on the Mississippi River levee. Food, games, live entertainment and fireworks over the river at dark. Free admission.