Fourth of July programs to be held Saturday in Cape, Perryville

Southeast Missourian

Arena Park in Cape Girardeau will be filled with Fourth of July festivities Saturday evening, including patriotic music, a naturalization ceremony, a Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award program and a fireworks display.

The Rotary Club of Perryville, Missouri, also has organized a community fireworks display, which will take place at Perryville City Park.

Music starts at 7 p.m., and the American Legion Honor Guard will present the colors before the fireworks at about 9 p.m.

Cape Girardeau's events are slated to begin at 6:45 p.m., starting with the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band at the Arena Park Grandstand.

At 7:15 p.m. is the U.S. District Court naturalization ceremony, where U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, judges Stephen Limbaugh Jr. and Duane Benton and other special guests will celebrate with more than 20 new American citizens.

The Southeast Missourian Spirit of America and Patriotic program will begin at 8 p.m.

If it is raining, the band, ceremony and program will be held inside the arena Saturday.

If rain causes fireworks displays to be canceled at Cape Girardeau or Perryville, the displays will be rescheduled for Sunday evening.

Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m., and the city of Cape Girardeau is planning a 15- to 18-minute display -- longer than in years past.

Parking will be available throughout the park, and attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets, but no personal fireworks are allowed.

Guests can listen to patriotic music and the Spirit of America program on a radio by tuning to 960KZIM or 1400KSIM.

The stations also will provide a countdown to the fireworks display.

Fireworks displays and other events were at Arena Park from 2009 to 2013.

The fireworks display returned to the riverfront last year, but plans to have the display at the river this year were canceled because of flood conditions.

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Perryville City Park, Perryville, Mo.