CITY WILL CELEBRATE JULY 4 WITH FESTIVAL; VFW HAD CANCELED EVENT IN MARCH

The annual Fourth of July festival in Cape Girardeau is back. A one-day event is planned complete with a fireworks display and parade.

"We asked people to come forward and volunteer to help, and by golly they did," said Rodger Brown, the event's co-chairman. "We really are just overwhelmed."

In March, the Cape Girardeau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 canceled the annual Fourth of July celebration but said it would reconsider if volunteers stepped forward to help.

The response convinced the VFW to do it again. Brown said, "I got a number of phone calls from people who didn't realize there was a problem."

Last year's Fourth of July fireworks display at Arena Park was well attended, but attendance was low at other activities during the three-day celebration. VFW members did most of the planning, fund raising and cleanup.

This year, no one attended two planning meetings early in the year, and the VFW said it couldn't do it alone.

"We were so pleased when people came forward to help," Brown said. "I think we already have an unbelievable day planned."

Pete Poe is spearheading the fireworks display, scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. at Arena Park.

The group is raising funds for the display, and Poe said he is expecting a big crowd.

Cape Girardeau Councilman Mel Kasten is challenging a Jackson city official to meet him at the park for a milking contest.

Events will start around 7 a.m. with an all-day, three-on-three basketball tournament. A parade is planned, with awards for the best decorated bicycles.

The Compton Heights Band will perform, and organizers want to form a children's choir.

"We have lots of activities for children," Brown said.

A rock 'n' roll street dance is planned to follow the fireworks display.

Additional projects are being discussed and more planning is under way for the scheduled events.

To help

People wishing to volunteer their help can attend planning meetings held at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the VFW Hall, 1049 N. Kingshighway.