CHURCH HOSTS FREEDOM CELEBRATION

A musical prelude to the fourth of July holiday is planned next week by the First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The program, Freedom Celebration '91, will begin Wednesday and be performed each night through June 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 1812 Cape LaCroix Road.

Tickets cost $2 and are available at the church. "The last two days, tickets have really been selling well," said Frank Bain, director of the Freedom Celebration.

This is the third year the church has sponsored the Freedom Celebration. Past performances brought full houses.

"Basically its a patriotic musical," Bain said. "The program is different but the theme is the same every year, patriotism."

The show, entitled "I Love America," will last approximately one hour and 20 minutes.

Bain said people from seven churches are participating in the program.

The choir includes 50 singers. Another 50 people are involved in the production directly or indirectly, he said.

"Some of the music this year is more modern," Bain said. The choir will perform Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." and Neil Diamond's "Coming to America," for example.

Bain said the program will include a salute to the armed forces. A slide presentation will feature color slides from some local people who served in Desert Storm.

A new addition this year is a salute to the American farmer. "It's a fun little thing featuring `Old MacDonald,'" Bain said.

A short drama with a patriotic theme will also be performed. Uncle Sam and Uncle Sam Jr. will also attend.

Outside the church, Bain said, a flag display featuring flags from many different states, will be arranged along the driveway.

Bain said the church sponsored the event each way as a tribute to the community.

"I kind of feel like the church owes something to the community," Bain said. "We have an opportunity to give something to the community. We don't expect anything in return. It's an opportunity to share."