HUNDREDS ENJOY SOUTH SIDE CARNIVAL ON GOOD HOPE ST.

Cape Girardeau Patrolman Rob Barker used a radar gun to track how fast Hykeem Hammonds could throw a baseball Saturday afternoon at the South Side Community Carnival.

Good Hope Street lived up to its name Saturday, thanks to the efforts of a group determined to spread the message that hope still lives in southeast Cape Girardeau.

"Of all the streets in Cape, why is it everything at least right now seems to be concentrated on a street called Good Hope?" said Talmus McAlister, a minister from Scott City. "There's a lot of hope, a lot of good here. That's what we want people to see."

McAlister worked with Michael Pryor, owner of the Taste Restaurant and Lounge on Good Hope, to organize the first South Side Community Carnival. More than 200 people attended the event, held on a vacant lot next to the Taste, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.

"We're trying to give a different aspect on the neighborhood," said Pryor. "We've had all that bad publicity, but we need to be focusing on things for our kids."

The theme for the event was "Keep Hope Alive." McAlister said the theme was chosen to remind people children are the future and to emphasize the Christian nature of the event.

Although he has received some negative comments from people who disliked the idea of a minister working on a project with a lounge owner, McAlister said he disregarded them because he wants to work in the community as Jesus did.

"When Jesus walked the face of the earth, he didn't just hang out with the Christians," he said. "Until the churches come out of the building and work outside the church, nothing's going to happen."

"I just felt like the Lord wanted me to come here and do something for the kids," he said.

Small groups of children on bicycles were the first to stop at the carnival, which started at noon and continued another six hours. But it wasn't long before the street was lined with cars as parents and grandparents looking for a weekend activity began to arrive. The adults settled into chairs under a nearby tent while their children scampered to the dunking booth and other booth games provided for their enjoyment.

Free food and gospel music performances by members of Greater Dimensions Church of God In Christ also were provided throughout the event. Several prizes, including three bicycles, were given away in special drawings.

Parents said they appreciated the event for the children's sake, but they were equally happy to spend time with friends they might not see as much as they would like.

"We sit back and let the kids play and we gossip," said Carol Harris, who brought her three grandchildren and their friend out for the event. "I think it's great."

Emma Egson said she hopes residents consider similar events for children in the future.

"We're giving support for the community I haven't seen in a while," she said. "We should do something like this once a month during the summer months. Maybe we'd see less crime if we did."