CITY OF ROSES FESTIVAL TO RUN FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND FEATURE MORE THAN 75 BANDS

Cape Girardeau will play host to more than 75 musical groups Friday and Saturday at the third City of Roses Festival.

"Whatever you like, you can find it at this year's festival," said Brad Graham, Music Heritage Association vice president.

Artists performing folk, rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, country, Christian rock, bluegrass are among the entertainment.

This year's festival will be held in conjunction with Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming, and many activities are planned at the university's River Campus.

Performances for the kids, including Puppet Power, Super Saturday and children's choirs, will begin at the River Campus immediately following the homecoming parade.

"We're focusing on the kids and a family-oriented program at River Campus Saturday afternoon," said Graham.

Flag Day celebrations, July 4 festivities and community picnics took place on the River Campus grounds. Photos dating to the mid-1800s will be on display that catalog these community events.

The City of Roses Festival began as a way to raise community awareness of live music in the downtown area.

"We've really been blessed with the way the community responded," said Fara McSpadden, Music Heritage Association secretary. "There were three people trying to organize the festival the first year."

Now a 15-member board plus a host of volunteers attributes to the growing success of the program. Numerous sponsors have also added their support.

The community isn't the only one receiving a benefit from the annual gathering.

Performing in a group often means being away from home and friends.

"The band members like the fact that they get to visit with each other," added Graham.

Be sure to watch the paper daily for continuing coverage of this year's 1999 City of Roses Festival.