Cape events to draw thousands

A big weekend is in store for area leisure buffs.

Entertainment opportunities abound this weekend in Cape Girardeau -- events expected to draw thousands will take place starting Friday and continue into next week, including the River City Music Festival, the SEMO District Fair, the monthly First Friday art walk and a folk music showcase at the Red House Interpretive Center.

Events kick off Friday, the first day of the River City Music Festival, formerly known as the City of Roses Music Festival. This year, organizers changed the festival's name to bring it in line with Cape Girardeau's revamped marketing image as a city on the Mississippi River. They've also booked more regional touring acts like Kimberley Dahme, Peter Karp and the country duo Jackson Greenfield, made up of country singer Brad Martin and Nashville, Tenn., songwriter and Jackson native John Ramey.

Karp will precede the festival with a Tunes at Twilight performance at 6:30 p.m. at the Common Pleas Courthouse gazebo.

Festival organizer Mary Ramsey said she expects festival attendance to increase, with about 3,000 people compared to last year's 2,500.

The festival has struggled to increase attendance numbers in recent years. However, Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau director Chuck Martin, whose organization has given a stronger commitment to this year's festival than in recent years, said he's optimistic about the festival's future and happy about the new moniker.

The River City Music Festival, like other big local entertainment events, could turn into an event that becomes an important tourism draw, Martin said.

"I think it has tremendous potential," Martin said.

In addition to more support from the CVB, the festival also garnered the blessing of the Cape Girardeau city government this year, with Mayor Jay Knudtson opening the festivities with an address Friday evening.

Visitors to the downtown music festival also have the chance to get their visual art fix by attending the galleries taking part in the First Friday art walk. Several downtown galleries -- the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Gallery 1.2.5, Buckner Brewing Co.'s Riverview Room, Garden Gallery and the Artist Studio -- will open their doors to art lovers starting around 5 p.m. and continuing at some establishments until 10. The Edward Bernard Gallery, on West Drive just off Independence Street, and the Cat Ranch Art Guild, located at the WESTRAY studio on Broadway, will also host receptions. Southeast Missouri State University will host its inaugural First Friday reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at its River Campus student and faculty art gallery, a facility that will become a regular feature on the First Friday scene.

Kicking off Saturday is an event that will draw much higher numbers -- the SEMO District Fair.

Fair spokesman Pete Poe said work is well underway setting up the fairgrounds at Arena Park. By Wednesday the midway had been set up as well as fairgrounds tents.

"We're right in the middle of it," Poe said.

Poe said about 35,000 people should stroll through the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday combined, with about 100,000 people visiting the fair before it ends Sept. 15. Many of those people come from the Cape Gir­ardeau, Jackson and Scott City areas, but the fair also draws visitors from all over Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, Martin said.

Also, starting at 11 a.m Saturday the Red House Interpretive Center in downtown Cape Girardeau will hold a demonstration of folk music from bluegrass to gospel.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182