MAYORS COMPETE IN TELLING OF TALL TALES

Politicians are well-known for their rhetorical talents, and Cape Girardeau's Riverfest provides a unique forum for area mayors to flaunt their penchants for a tall tale.

The second annual Mayoral Tell-a-Tall-Tale contest will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, just prior to the Miss Riverfest contest on the main entertainment stage at the corner of Spanish and Themis streets.

Evelyn LeGrand, Riverfest board member, said Riverfest organizers expect more mayors will participate in the contest this year than did last year.

"We sent letters to more than 90 mayors in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois," LeGrand said. "We had five participants last year, and I think we'll have at least that many this year and probably double that amount."

LeGrand said mayors this year will be competing not only for the title of "Tallest Tale Teller," but also for two tickets to the evening fireworks cruise aboard the Spirit of St. Charles riverboat.

"We've expanded it a little and added to their award," she said. "Last year the winner received a plaque and a traveling gavel, which will come back this year to go with the winner. But we think that maybe the riverboat tickets will inspire more to participate."

LeGrand said that by scheduling the event just prior to the Miss Riverfest competition another event featuring participants from throughout the area the crowd might be larger for the contest than last year.

"Both are areawide events and I think will bring good crowd participation," she said. "The mayors from the various towns can bring in a whole delegation of supporters from their home town.

"Part of the judging is based on crowd response so if they bring in a large crowd, it will help their cause."

Last year, the city of Jackson won the event with a "proxy" mayor. But LeGrand said that only truly elected or appointed officials will be eligible for the contest this year. She said she's hoping the event will be as well received as it was last year.

"It was a real fun event last year," LeGrand said. "One contestant came in costume. They did some real clever things last year.

"The rules say that it can be exaggerated truth or fictitious nonsense. The contestants are really encouraged to stretch the truth.

"You can make it up and be silly or tell a true story about a real-life situation that can sometimes be more entertaining than anything you could make up."

Scoring for the contest is based on originality, presentation and crowd response.

"Last year, we had it early in the day and didn't have as big a crowd as we think we'll get this year," said LeGrand. "But we had a good-sized crowd and it was really a fun event. These politicians are really good at telling these stories."

She said the Tell-a-Tall-Tale contest benefits both Riverfest and the local politicians who compete.

"We're getting people in from their towns and the mayors are getting good exposure," LeGrand said. "It's a real public relations opportunity and elections are never that far off."