Mild weather boosts crowds at region's July 4 festivities

Hundreds of people took advantage of mild, sunny weather to participate in Fourth of July festivities from morning till night.

In Cape Girardeau, residents packed Arena Park in anticipation of the fireworks display that began at 9:15 p.m. Thursday. Jeff Harms was among a group that came early to pick out the perfect seat to watch the show.

"We went to the veterans home last night and now we're here, so we're just making the rounds," he said.

Harms himself is a veteran, serving in the Army from 1980 to 1985. He said that gave him a new outlook on the holiday.

Show organizer Rodger Brown with the USA Veterans Headquarters made a point to share the importance of the holiday with the crowd as he spoke before the show.

Kenneth Bender, left, is presented with the 2013 Spirit of America Award by Lucas Presson and with a proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives by Rep. Kathy Swan, right, during the Cape Girardeau Fourth of July fireworks display on Thursday. (Adam Vogler)

"Patriotism is something this country needs more than anything," he said.

One local hero also was recognized before the show. Kenneth Bender -- a veteran who served in World War II and a member of numerous community and civic clubs -- was presented with the 2013 Spirit of America Award, which the Southeast Missourian presents to one person annually for making a difference in their community. Assistant managing editor Lucas Presson presented him with the award.

He called Bender a "local hero," and said all candidates nominated for the award this year were outstanding. Bender accepted the award with a brief, humble speech.

"I'm so proud that I was chosen to receive this award," he said to the crowd. "Even though I know people I've worked with over the years that deserve this more than I do ... I'm just so pleased and proud all of you are here to celebrate with me."

Certificates of appreciation also were presented to Gary Rust and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau for their donations, which paid for this year's fireworks display.

The show did not disappoint. From the first sparkling explosion, shouts of excitement and awe could be heard across the park. Katie Jackson and her daughter Lilly, 7, were among those watching the skies.

"It's so great that Cape has an event like this," she said. "It's really a great show."

The city of Jackson started its July 4 celebrations early, with an Independence Day 5k Walk/Run at 7 a.m., followed by a mud volleyball tournament, a car show and the Little Miss Firecracker Pageant.

The car show was organized by the Capaha Car Club. Cars, trucks and motorcycles lined up around the Jackson City Park, owners shining up their vehicles as people walked by to take a closer look. All vehicles registered in the show were scored on a scale of 0-100, according to club president Pat Patterson, and had the opportunity to win a number of trophies, including Best of Show.

"This show is actually many years old; it's just been held at a few different locations in the past," he said. "For the last ten years or so, it's been here at the park."

By 10 a.m., nearly 150 vehicles were in the show. Organizers expected 200 or more before the show ended at 3 p.m., which would exceed last year's number of 175.

"That's our aim, to continue to grow, year after year," Patterson said.

"It's really a great event for families and kids or grandkids," added his wife, Edna Patterson.

Barbara Stone sat with her family at a picnic table with a view of the car show on her right and the mud volleyball pits to her left.

"We enjoy this every year," she said. "My grandsons are playing in the volleyball tournament and we have an old car in the show. So we really like it, and there's such beautiful weather today."

Mark Ullman carried his son J.J. around on his shoulders as they checked out some of the muscle cars in the show. Ullman said he was a vintage car enthusiast and hoped to pass that along to his son.

"I think it's great that they have this show," he said. "There are a lot of great cars out here."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Jackson City Park, Jackson, MO

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, MO