JOUR DE FETE DRAWS OUT CROWD TO STE. GENEVIEVE

A 28 year-old Golden Eagle was one of the birds of prey on display in Ste. Genevieve by World Bird Sanctuary during Jour de Fete Saturday. The event continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Capt. Steve Meister and his company of French Marines marched down the street of Ste. Genevieve Saturday, stopping to fire a volley near the center of the Jour de Fete celebration.

The annual event attracts 30,000 to 40,000 over two days. The Jour de Fete continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

The re-enactors methodically loaded their muskets. Standing on the street cover, out of range of the guns, children covered their ears and waited for the blast. The Marines didn't hurry. With Meister barking orders in French, the men took aim and then fired a round.

After the bang, the children cheered, and the Marines swung around to return to their encampment.

"We're here every year," Meister said. "We're like a detachment that would be out scouting from Ft. de Chartres. Actually, many of the Marines stationed at the fort came to Ste. Genevieve after the Treaty of Paris was signed." He couldn't resist throwing in a short history lesson for anyone who would listen.

In fact, Jour de Fete combines a living history lesson with a huge crafts fair. More than 600 crafters and exhibits are set up through the downtown streets of Ste. Genevieve.

Six of the city's historic homes are open for tours during the event. Colonial crafts are demonstrated by crafters in period dress.

Phyllis Flieg, one of the planning committee for the event, took a break under an awning Saturday afternoon.

The temperatures Saturday were much cooler than usual for the August event. An early morning rain had cooled things down but not washed anything away.

"We have good crowds," she said. "All the reports I've gotten from venders have been good. People are buying and having a good time."

Indeed people carried hand-crafted wooden yard ornaments and wrought-iron sculptures. Children pushed rolling ducks, and lots of people were enjoying the food.

Ice cream cones and fresh roasted corn on the cob were among the favorites.

"I know the fellow with the roasting ears went through five boxes today. But he said he would get more," Flieg said.

Among the more exotic exhibits at the Jour de Fete is from the World Bird Sanctuary. The organization, headquartered in St. Louis, recently opened a satellite office in Ste. Genevieve.

For the festival, Naturalist Joe Hoffmann brought out an assortment of birds of prey, including a turkey vulture, a peregrine falcon, a golden eagle and a screech owl.

All the birds are native to Southeast Missouri, Hoffmann explained. Most are common.

"There is probably an owl's nest within eye sight," he said, from the center of town. "But we'd never see it."

The birds remained calm as children and their parents strolled by and asked questions. The 28-year-old Golden Eagle seemed to eye the youngsters, but Hoffmann assured parents that the 11-pound bird couldn't possibly carry off the children.

Today's special events include a Classic Cruisers' Car Show at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Musical troubadours, a French fiddler and Ste. Genevieve's own Little French Singers will perform in the festival area.

Flieg recommended visitors listen to the Ecuadorian musicians on North Main. "They combine pipes, mandolin and violin," she said, "and always draw a good crowd."