Lewis and Clark commemoration events shaping up

The day explorers Lewis and Clark stopped in Cape Girardeau on their way west will be commemorated in a series of bicentennial events the weekend of Nov. 21-23. Many of the plans leading up to the event are starting to become reality.

The Red House Interpretive Center being built in downtown Cape Girardeau now has a roof. The center is scheduled to be dedicated Nov. 8.

More than half the 50 tickets available for the Oct. 11 gourmet Lewis and Clark Dinner already have been sold.

In addition, a Lewis and Clark Educational Fair is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. The fair will include storytelling, fiddle music, American Indian dancing, an encampment by the Zenon River Brigade re-enactors, a Missouri Department of Conservation program on Lewis & Clark and a NASA Education Center program called "Navigating by the Stars."

Eighteen members of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee met Monday night in downtown Cape Girardeau to finalize some of the plans.

Steve Strom, who is in charge of the Red House construction, said more volunteers are needed to do the final work. Volunteers work on the house from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday.

Carpenters and others with construction abilities are especially needed, Strom said, but added, "We have jobs for people who have no talent."

Co-chairwoman Linda Nash said more docents are needed for the interpretive center. A meeting for docents will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Money is being raised for the Nov. 23 appearance by the St. Charles Fife and Drum Corps. Jane Jackson, co-chairwoman of the Cape Girardeau Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee, said $900 still must be collected to bring the topflight performers here.

Tickets to the Lewis and Clark Dinner at the Cape Girardeau restaurant Celebrations by Request are $100 per person and include admission to the Colonial Ball to be held afterward. Tickets to the Colonial Ball only are $25. They are available at Schnucks, C.P. McGinty Jewelers and at the Cape Girardeau County Archives.

Next week, the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau will host a series of programs based on the bicentennial. Patrick Lee will portray co-leader William Clark in a program at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Thebes Courthouse in Thebes, Ill.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182