MISSISSIPPI VALLEY SCENIC DRIVE TO SHOWCASE FESTIVALS IN AREA

The success of last year's Mississippi River Valley Fall Scenic Drive has prompted the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University to coordinate the event again.

Last year's scenic drive tour and emphasis on community attractions turned out to be a great opportunity for small communities to promote some of their special fall events.

The drive is a variation on the scenic drive tour planned each spring by the center. While the spring tour lasts one weekend and is designed to show off Southeast Missouri's delicate spring foliage, the fall tour highlights area events going on through the remainder of September, October and November and is designed to give travelers a view of the colorful fall foliage.

Participants in the 131-mile tour may be in for a visual treat this year.

"Because of the amoung of moisture we had in the spring, there is very thick foliage this year," said Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History and coordinator of the event.

"We anticipate a delightful, colorful autumn this year."

Nickell said the abundance of oak and hickory trees in this area make the autumn foliage as colorful as any in the country. In addition to the orange and brown oak trees and the yellow and rust hickory trees, Nickell said the numerous sweet gums and sassafrass trees in Southeast Missouri turn to varying shades of red.

The peak time for viewing the colorful trees should be around mid-October, which coincides with the dates of some of the larger community events.

The Frohna Saxon Lutheran Memorial Fall Festival, which should attract thousands of people and which will feature crafts and food, is set for Oct. 8, as is the Marble Hill Harvest Festival, which begins with a parade at 10 a.m. and continues with carnival rides, crafts, tours and exhibits. The Perryville Yard Sale Jamboree and Downtown Sidewalk Sales are also set for Oct. 8.

Oct. 8-9 is the date for the Fourth Annual Oktoberfest at Black Forest, where traditional crafters will demonstrate their skills, musicians will entertain, and concessionaires will offer their fare.

The Oak Ridge Fall Celebration is also scheduled for Oct 8-9, and the Brazeau Whole Hog Bar-B-Que is set to begin at 3 p.m. on Oct. 9.

The fall drive route follows a loop that includes Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Burfordville, Marble Hill, Patton, Sedgewickville, Friedheim, Old Appleton, Uniontown, Frohna, Altenburg, Brazeau, Pocahontas and Fruitland. Side routes to other small towns are also marked on the map available from the Center for Regional History.