PIRATES WILL PLUNDER RIVERFEST WITH REPLICA SHIP AT RIVERFRONT

An 80-foot pirate ship, Martina McBride, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and a tribute to the Beatles headline events for Riverfest '94 June 10-11.

Plans for Riverfest, the annual celebration of Cape Girardeau's Mississippi River heritage, were announced at a news conference Thursday. The theme is "Jammin' on the River."

Peggy Barringer, president of the Riverfest Association Board of Directors, said last year's flood prevented a Mississippi River attraction, but the waters are down and the masts are up for the replica pirate ship Discovery.

Sponsored by Boyd Gaming Corp., the Discovery set sail in mid-March from Los Angeles on its voyage through the Panama Canal to the Gulf Coast to New Orleans and up the Mississippi to Cincinnati.

The ship will be docked at the Cape Girardeau riverfront and open for tours all day Saturday. The crew, in authentic costumes, presents narrated re-enactments and ship tours. The ship will not be offering cruises.

The ship will sail to the riverfront with cannons blaring Friday night, Barringer said.

On Saturday night, Martina McBride, currently with a number 10 song on the country music charts, will be center stage at Riverfest. Her debut album, "The Time Has Come," won critical and commercial acclaim. Her new album is titled "The Way That I Am."

Prior to McBride's performance the annual fireworks display will be held. Sponsor of the fireworks display is Lady Luck gambling company.

Earlier in the evening on Saturday, "The Ozark Mountain Daredevils" will take the Riverfest stage. With eight albums selling over 2 million records and worldwide hits like "Jackie Blue" and "If You Want to Get to Heaven," the Daredevils have come a long way from the Missouri bars and porches where their music began.

Headlining musical entertainment June 10 will be Yesterday, a quartet who impersonate the Beatles. The group has appeared in Cape Girardeau twice before, playing both times to enthusiastic crowds.

Barringer said the terraces of the Common Pleas Courthouse will feature a mountain man encampment, a Civil War re-enactment and working craftsmen in period dress.

New this year in the gazebo will be a brass band, dressed to match the new mural at the Shivelbine's building.

"They will do jazz and blues and will be playing throughout the day in costume just like the mural," Barringer said.

The Riverfest T-shirt design combines the "Jammin' on the River" theme and the pirate ship. Early sales of the shirts will begin in a couple of weeks.

Barringer said Riverfest organizers have been able to offer entertainment at no cost thanks to sponsors.

This year, two gambling companies chipped in contributions, making the pirate boat possible and enhancing the fireworks display.

But Barringer said, "We can't put this on without all our sponsors."

The four corporate sponsors returning from last year are Capital Bank, KBSI Fox 23, St. Francis Medical Center and Southwestern Bell Telephone. Corporate sponsorship is limited to four.

"Riverfest is heavily dependent upon sponsorship money because we don't charge a gate fee," said Evelyn LeGrand, public relations director and Riverfest board member.

"The business community of Cape Girardeau responds to our requests in a wonderful way. Riverfest is such a positive community and family event that people like to be a part of it -- and we appreciate that very much."

In addition to corporate sponsors, a number of associate, event, activity and patron sponsors help fund Riverfest activities.

In addition to the musical entertainment, fireworks and the pirate ship, Barringer said a variety of other activities are planned. They include midway rides, strolling entertainment, arts and crafts, foods and beverages, children's activities, the Miss Riverfest and Little Miss Riverfest pageants, the Riverfest Run and Midnight Bicycle Ramble.