July Fourth fireworks return to Cape riverfront

Fireworks will return to the Cape Girardeau waterfront this Fourth of July.

After previously being displayed at Arena Park, they will be moving back to their original location, the city of Cape Girardeau announced Sunday morning.

Mayor Harry Rediger said the city moved the fireworks display because of its past success downtown.

"We're looking at not only taking it back to the river and the downtown area this year but making it in future years into a larger-scale celebration for the Fourth and Independence Day," Rediger said. "[We] don't have all the plans made for that yet, but starting next year I'm very hopeful that we'll have a larger, more complete Fourth of July Independence Day celebration culminating with the fireworks on the river."

The fireworks display has been at Arena Park since 2009.

Rediger said the waterfront is a more ideal place for the fireworks because of the multiple vantage points observers can use during the display.

"We want to use our river to its fullest and it's so visible in so many places -- North of downtown, South of downtown, across the river -- we're really excited about bringing it back into the downtown area," he said.

A barge will be used to shoot the fireworks on the east bank of the river, according to Rediger.

On the Fourth of July, the event will begin with the Southeast Missourian presenting the Spirit of America award at 8 p.m. in front of the Common Pleas Courthouse, with music by the Jerry Ford Patriotic Band. The fireworks are set to begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

The Spirit of America award began in 2003 by The Southeast Missourian. Its intent is to recognize people who have demonstrated a patriotic commitment to service. This can be done through community involvement or military service. Nominations must be received by June 12 and can be submitted at semissourian.com/forms/spirit.

If a civic organization nominated the winner, $1,000 will go to the organization. If an individual's candidate is selected, that person can choose an organization to receive the $1,000.

To prepare for the expected crowds, police will be closing Water and Spanish streets during the event, but Main Street will remain open for vehicular traffic.

"I can remember when we had it downtown before, they came from blocks away," Rediger said. "They'll probably end up being some shuttles from other areas, they haven't been identified yet but the crowd will get there."

Rediger is hoping that by adding more events to the city's Independence Day weekend, visitors will decide to spend more time visiting in Cape Girardeau, hopefully for multiple days when the event falls on a weekend.

USA Veterans under commander Rodger Brown also will be involved with the event again this year. Rediger said Brown, as well as Isle Casino Cape Girardeau and the Southeast Missourian are renewing their titles as the main sponsors of the event.

Rediger said other sponsors were contacted, but the contracts haven't been finalized yet. Because of the larger event, Rediger thinks the fireworks display would be approximately $15,000 this year, $3,000 more than in 2013.

"I'm just excited to bring a larger fireworks display and get it back on the river," he said. "It was always a great event and it drew thousands of people into our city and into our downtown area, and we're looking forward to starting this as an annual event."

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau riverfront