Commerce celebrates river roots; Illmo marks 100 years

Although it is now part of Scott City, Illmo celebrated its centennial Saturday at the Schock Community Arts Building, combining the old with the young. To the southeast, Commerce, Mo., held its eighth annual Floodfest, a celebration of the town's roots.

For Illmo, stories were resurrected by old photos, a baby contest was held and Scott City middle schoolers offered essays of what life was like a century ago.

Students of Lanna Arnzen's sixth-grade class drafted stories about living without electricity, milking cows and attending a one-room schoolhouse. Throughout the day students visited the community arts center and read their essays for the audience.

For Commerce, the name Floodfest was appropriate for a town whose history was often visited by rising rivers. The first Floodfest celebration began in 1996 after Jack Carson High Sr. moved back to Commerce to try to rebuild his hometown. Commerce was about to become wetlands with a federal buyout underway despite residents' attempts to petition for a floodwall or levee.

Joyce Sander of Commerce, a former Cape Girardeau teacher, said, "We're about midway between Cairo and Cape Girardeau. If the Ohio River gets up and the Mississippi gets up, we're gone."

Leroy Eftink of Oran, Mo., a regular at Floodfest with his country band Classy Chassy Country, was instrumental in attending tourism meetings to get Commerce back on the map, according to event chairwoman Theresa Wright.

"Oran and Commerce are neighbors," Eftink said. "That's what this is all about. Festivals have a lot to do with revitalizing a town. Small towns have to celebrate their heritage. For Commerce, it's the river."

The last big flood was in 1995. Residents, when asked why they stay, replied, "It's what we call home."

Nonetheless, people have moved away. Ruby Roe of Cape Girardeau moved 22 years ago. After the flood, she sold her house.

"I lived here all my life, but I didn't feel sad to leave," she said. "I was ready."

Still, she comes back every year to see the people she knows and listen to the music.

The crowd Friday drew about 100 people. By midafternoon Saturday, about 200 people were in attendance. Among the attractions were remote control car races on a grass track, a cake walk, a horseshoe and washer tournament, and a hula hoop contest.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

WANT TO GO?

What: Commerce Floodfest

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today

Where: City Park, Commerce.