MERCHANTS TOUT DOWNTOWN: ASSOCIATION WORKS TO ENHANCE SHOPPING EXPERIENCES

The Downtown Merchants Association, one of the associate sponsors of Riverfest, has its home turf in the spotlight during the two-day event.

The association's reason for being is to promote business in Cape Girardeau's downtown.

"We promote shopping downtown and meet as a group to try to enhance business prospects," said Acting President Scott Shivelbine. He is filling in for the association's president, Joe Low, who is attending school in Arizona.

They do this through a range of activities, including providing Christmas lighting, planting flowers and maintaining the area, which in general extends from the downtown west to Pacific Street.

"We try to improve the physical appearance of downtown," Shivelbine said.

No special sprucing up is required for Riverfest. "We're trying to keep the downtown clean all the time," said association member Evelyn Boardman.

The association is providing a shuttle bus that will take visitors to and from the West Park Mall during Riverfest.

The association's biggest annual fund-raiser is an auction, held this year in April at the River City Yacht Club. At this year's auction, 110 people paid $11,000 for an array of items.

The auction was highlighted by a money-producing activity called the "karaoke challenge," in which put $20 into the pot each time someone was challenged to sing.

Shivelbine wound up singing "The Peppermint Twist."

The association, which includes both businesses and individuals in its membership, currently has 30 members. Each pays a membership fee in an amount of their own choice, with the minimum set at $180.

The association also sponsors a farmer's market each Saturday morning in the summer at the pavilion downtown. The market was begun last year, but has had a slow start this year because rains have delayed the growing season. About 12 vendors currently are selling produce at the market.

The association also is involved with promoting the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive in April.