CAPE DOWNTOWN SETS WALK, MUSIC

"Walkin' and Rockin' in Old Town Cape" kicks off Saturday in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The new program, sponsored by the Old Town Cape, the city's downtown revitalization program, includes walking routes and a summer music series that starts Saturday at the First Presbyterian rose garden at Broadway and Spanish streets.

Walkers can join the Old Town Cape RiverWalkers for a 10 a.m. walk Saturday. Walkers can choose from a mile, 2-mile, 3.1-mile or a"Main Street Meande." Registration sheets and route maps will be available at 8 a.m. at Broadway and Spanish. Maps will also be available at Europa's, Grace Cafe, My Daddy's Cheesecake, Rose of Broadway and Brown Shoe Fit Co.

Steve Gerard, a member of the Old Town Cape promotions committee, said special events will be held during the year.

He said that many people already walk in the downtown area.

Musicians will take the stage for the first Saturday morning concerts downtown.

The inaugural concert will feature Don Greenwood, a downtown musician and artist, and the Water Street Blues Band.

Future concerts will showcase area musicians and represent a variety of musical styles.

"God Squad," a group of teen-agers from Centenary Methodist Church, will appear in concert May 19, under Centenary Church music director Alice Harness.

Sam Godwin, a music major at Southeast Missouri State University and his group SEMO Jazz, will perform May 26.

The concerts will be from 11 to noon at Broadway and Spanish.

This week's inaugural RiverWalk will feature attendance prizes and refreshments donated by area businesses.

A number of Old Town Cape restaurants will offer box lunches for sale for the concert.

Old Town Cape, a Missouri Main Street Community, is dedicated to promote the historic, cultural, socioeconomic significance of the city's downtown area.