PARADE FEATURES CHILDREN; RIVERFEST ACTIVITY WILL PROMOTE SAFETY

Participants are being sought for a children's parade, planned June 13 during Riverfest.

The parade, which has a safety theme, begins at 9 a.m. at Capaha Park, proceeds down Broadway to Main Street.

"We want to help promote Riverfest on Saturday morning," said Susan Helwege, who is coordinating the parade along with Amy Snyder.

Helwege said a number of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Vision 2000 and contestants in the Little Miss Riverfest "Fabulous Five" beauty contest for five year olds have already signed up to participate.

Helwege said organizers are hoping to keep most participants under age 15. They are also looking for participants with appeal for children, including clowns and bands.

"We are hoping to get a good turnout to watch the parade, too," Helwege said.

Because of the parade's safety theme, a number of characters, including McGruff the crime dog, BuckleBear, Vince and Larry the crash dummies, Freddie the Fire Engine and Union Electric's Louie the Lightning Bug, will participate. Later in the day, these characters will present a safety seminar for children.

In addition, the KBSI Kids Club with Jill and Kool K will lead the parade. KBSI-TV is one of Riverfest's corporate sponsors.

Immediately following the parade, a one-hour riverboat ride for children will be held. The cruise is limited to 300. Helwege asked that children ride the boat in groups of six or more with just one chaperone to allow more children to participate.

Tickets for the riverboat ride cost $2. The excursion is sponsored by Union Electric; the company's sponsorship has made the lower ticket price possible.

For more information write Safety Parade, 1733 Luce Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701, or call 335-8380.