CAIRO MAKES PLANS FOR RIVERBOAT DAYS

CAIRO, Ill. -- The appearance of King River and a queen pageant and ball will be the highlights of Riverboat Days here.

Dates and events have been announced for the fourth annual gala that will be held in October this year.

"We used to schedule Riverboat Days with a Fourth of July celebration," said George Bell, a spokesman for the Cairo Chamber of Commerce committee, which is sponsoring the two-day event. "We decided to go with a fall scheduling this year."

Events for the extravaganza will be held at various locations in the city Oct. 3-4.

The queen pageant and Riverboat ball and King River's appearance will be held at the National Guard Armory.

An encampment by the 9th Illinois Infantry Re-enactors will be held at Landsden Park, west of St. Mary's Park.

Magnolia Manor and Windham Mansion will be open for tours.

Deane's Dancers, Southern Illinois Square Dancers, a talent show and a performance by a magician will be held at St. Mary's Park.

An arts and crafts show, quilt show and sports memorabilia show will be held at St. Joseph's School.

An antique vehicle show will be held at St. Mary's Park.

"One of the big events of the weekend will be the parade, to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday," said Bell. "We're cooperating with Shriners on the parade. Besides the Shriners, we'll have several local high school bands, community bands and floats from various community organizations. Queen candidates will also ride in the parade."

Bell said 10 candidates had en~tered the queen pageant.

"We're looking for additional candidates," he said. "Additional information is available from the Cairo Chamber of Commerce."

Entries are expected from Ballard County in West Kentucky, Mississippi County in Missouri and Alexander and Pulaski counties in Illinois.

Also scheduled during the two days are community games including a Spelling Bee for children, a Sunday morning inter-domination church service, gospel music and a benefit softball game between civic organizations.

Eight chairmen will be working to coordinate the annual Riverboat Days. They are Bell, Mary Ann Simpson, Margaret Bagby, Ann Russell, Patrick Donnigan, Patti Fitzgerald, Jeff Farris and Nancy Wright.