Cities have lots to offer before 4th's fireworks

There's a lot to enjoy before the grand finale of fireworks at Jackson's Independence Day celebration and Cape Girardeau's Libertyfest.

Every Fourth of July, thousands of people visit downtown Cape Girardeau and Jackson City Park for outdoor activities.

In Cape Girardeau, Libertyfest will begin at 6:30 p.m. As a prelude to the festival, volunteers will open the historic Glenn House for tours at 5 p.m. and the Red House Interpretive Center an hour later.

Festivities will kick off with entertainment for children at the Themis Street floodgate area and with a concert at Spanish and Themis streets.

Folk musician Dan Wiethop will be the opener, followed by an act new to Libertyfest, the band Handpicked. The Mike Renick Band and the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band will close out the tunes.

The strolling Dixieland Band and fiddler Steve Schaffer will play music along the riverfront throughout the night for people hanging out by the Mississippi River.

Libertyfest will conclude on a patriotic note starting at 9 p.m. with the presentation of colors by the Marine Corps League, singing of the national anthem by Lindsay Stroh, the presentation of the Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award and a fireworks display off a barge on the river.

"The whole idea of the evening is getting people in the American spirit, but it's a real casual atmosphere," said Old Town Cape director Marla Mills. "It's an exciting opportunity to bring people to the area that haven't been downtown in a while."

During the events, restaurants and bars will be open, but streets will be closed to traffic.

In Jackson, festivities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Independence Day 5K Run starting at the junior high school. The competition will be accompanied by a "fun run," open to the public, beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Activities continue at 11 a.m. with the annual car show at Jackson City Park, which has been a Fourth of July tradition since the late 1970s, according to Shane Anderson of the city's parks and recreation department. He said up to 200 cars will be registered.

Throughout the day artists will display their work, and games like Wiffleball will be played.

In honor of the holiday, Robyn Hosp and Mike Dumey will sing a patriotic duet at 7 p.m. with the Jackson Municipal Band following.

Activities will be set up for children, including an air castle, a dunking booth and pony riding. A fireworks display will conclude the festivities at 9:30 p.m.

Jackson officials hope for good weather this Fourth of July. "We've been rained on for the last two years," Anderson said. "Of course we need rain, but just not on the Fourth."

For more information on Libertyfest, call 334-8085. For more information on Jackson's Independence Day events, call 243-8131.

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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Fourth of July events

Libertyfest

(downtown Cape Girardeau)

5 to 7 p.m.: Glenn House tours at 325 S. Spanish St.

6 to 8 p.m.: Red House Interpretive Center tours at 128 S. Main St.

6:30 to 7 p.m.: Dan Weithop at Spanish and Themis streets

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Strolling Dixieland Band on the riverfront

7 to 7:30 p.m.: Handpicked at Spanish and Themis streets

7:30 to 8 p.m.: Mike Renick Band at Spanish and Themis streets

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7:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Strolling fiddler Steve Schaffner on the riverfront

8 to 9 p.m.: Cape Municipal Band at Spanish and Themis streets

9 to 9:30 p.m.: Presentation of Colors by Marine Corps League, Spirit of America Award and national anthem by Lindsay Stroh at Spanish and Themis streets

About 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks over the Mississippi River

Jackson

(at Jackson City Park)

7:30 a.m.: Independence Day 5K Run

11 a.m.: Car show

7 p.m.: Performance by Robyn Hosp and Mike Dumey

8 p.m.: Jackson Municipal Band concert

9:30 p.m.: Fireworks display

Sikeston

Dusk: Fireworks at the sports complex on Campanella Street.

Perryville

(at Perryville City Park)