COMMUNITIES TO MARK FOURTH OF JULY

Area residents will have many choices on how and where to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, ranging from traditional fireworks displays in the evening to all-day celebrations.

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band concert, typically held at Capaha Park on Wednesdays, has moved downtown to the corner of Main and Themis to celebrate the Fourth. The concert will start at 8 p.m. Wednesday and require lawn chairs as usual. Guest director will be Mayor Al Spradling III, and the concert will include patriotic marches and the music of Elvis Presley and Walt Disney.

The city of Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau will sponsor "Fireworks on the Mississippi" at dusk Wednesday on the riverfront. Viewing and parking maps are available at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, 100 Broadway.

Terri Clark-Bauer of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau said that since this is the first time in recent years that fireworks have been held on the riverfront, it will be difficult to judge the turnout.

"Last year, the city of Cape didn't have fireworks," Clark-Bauer said. "We decided that we really wanted to see the fireworks back here on the Fourth."

Clark-Bauer said the bureau has been getting a lot of positive feedback about the event, and she expects it to go over well.

WANT TO GO?

CAPE GIRARDEAU: "Fireworks on the Mississippi," Wednesday on the Mississippi Riverfront at dusk

JACKSON: Jackson Jaycees Fourth of July Celebration, all day Wednesday at the Jackson City Park, near Shelter 1, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the annual Fun Run and concluding with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

MARBLE HILL: Fireworks sponsored by local businesses, 9 p.m. Wednesday in the ballpark area off of Highway 34 West behind the fire station

ORAN: Annual Knights of Columbus Fourth of July Picnic, all day Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus Hall off of Highway 77 in Oran. Fireworks display at 10 p.m.

PERRYVILLE: Fireworks display organized by Perryville Jaycees and Rotary Club at 9:15 p.m. Sound system ceremony and flag ceremony by American Legion beginning at 7 p.m.

ANNA, Ill.: Annual community fireworks display at dusk on Wednesday, Anna City Park

TAMMS, Ill.: Fireworks at dusk on Wednesday, Tamms City Park

CAIRO, Ill.: Fireworks display at dusk tonight at Fort Defiance Park