DETAILS ON RIVERFEST RUN, PAGEANTS, OTHER CONTESTS ANNOUNCED

The Cape Girardeau Riverfest committee has announced the details on several activities to be held during this year's annual event, which will take place June 14-15 in dowtown Cape Girardeau.

Among the events are the Riverfest Run, the Miss and Mrs. Riverfest Pageants and Turtle Race and Best Dressed Turtle Contest.

Over 400 participants are expected for the 14th Annual Riverfest Run on Friday, June 14.

The walkers in the 5.25 Mile Fitness Walk will begin at 7 p.m. and the runners will start the road run at 7:30 p.m. The first through third place winners of the 5.25-mile race will be awarded savings bonds and trophies according to male, female and master divisions. The One Mile Run and Fitness Walk will also begin at 7:30 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the overall winners and to each of the age group winners. All participants in the two distance races will receive post-race refreshments and a commemorative finish ribbon.

Packet pick-up and registration is Tuesday, June 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Universal Physique, 505 S. Mt. Auburn Rd., or Friday, June 14 5:30-7 p.m. at Boatman's Bank parking lot, Main and Broadway. Registration fees are as follows: $9 for early registration if returned by June 11, late registration is $12, a family discount of $6 if three or more pre-register. T-shirts are included in the registration fee. Return completed registration packets by mail to: Joy Gilbert, 2823 Hildale Circle, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701, or for more information call: 573-335-3617 or 573-334-2188.

All runners, fitness walkers, joggers and recreational runners are encouraged to participate in the two distances.

The Miss and Mrs. Riverfest pageants will be held on the main stage at Riverfest from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, June 14. The deadline to enter either of the two pageants is Sunday, June 9, with an entry fee of $50.

Miss Riverfest is open to all girls who were in high school as of May 1. The winner will receive a prize package and paid entry to the State Fair pageant in Sedalia in August. The State Fair pageant winner will compete for the title of Miss Missouri USA or Miss Missouri Teen USA, depending upon her age.

Mrs. Riverfest is open to all married women who are at least 18 years of age. The winner will receive a prize package and a $500 paid entry fee for the Mrs. Missouri-America pageant in July. The winner of Mrs. Missouri goes on to compete for the title of Mrs. America.

For more information please contact Deborah McConnell at 545-4530.

The Turtle Race and Best Dressed Turtle Contest will start at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15 at the Family fun Village on Themis and Water streets.

Official Turtle Race rules:

-- All children who enter a turtle in the race must be no more than 12 years old.

-- All turtles must be hard shelled box turtles, no exceptions.

-- Absolutely no paint, nail polish, etc. is allowed on any turtle. The turtles will be numbered, in a safe manner, when they are registered for the race.

-- Preliminary heats of five turtles each will be run with certificates being awarded to each heat winner.

-- All heat winners will compete in the finals.

-- The championship race winner will be awarded a certificate and an additional prize.

The rules for the Best Dressed Turtle Contest concerning entries are the same as above.

A panel of judges will determine the winner and their decision will be final. A prize will be awarded to the winner.

For more information, please contact Tracie Smith at 243-1998.