PRESIDENT HEADS TO CAPE GIRARDEAU; CAPAHA RALLY GETS CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY

Politics and pageantry will come to the region today when President Clinton visits Cape Girardeau for the start of a two-day, four-state bus tour.

The campaign trip comes on the heels of the Democratic National Convention and Clinton's nomination acceptance speech.

Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and their wives will take part in the campaign trip. They will arrive at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport around 1:30 p.m. on Air Force One.

Clinton and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, are expected to speak to a fenced-in crowd shortly after 2 p.m. at a rally in Capaha Park.

The rally will get under way at 1:30 p.m. Missouri Secretary of State Bekki Cook of Cape Girardeau is scheduled to serve as master of ceremonies.

Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, congressional candidate Emily Firebaugh and state Senate candidate Rick Althaus also are expected to speak to the crowd.

It is estimated as many as 15,000 to 20,000 people will turn out for the presidential visit and rally.

Gates for the rally open to the public at 11:30 a.m.

Fifteen shuttle buses will run continuously from West Park Mall to Capaha Park, beginning at 10 a.m. today. Shuttle pickup points will be at the Silver Springs, Mount Auburn and St. Francis entrances.

All the tickets to the rally have been distributed.

The public response was overwhelming, said Rachel Fayman, Missouri press secretary for the Clinton-Gore campaign.

"We never in our wildest dreams expected this kind of response. We are thrilled," Fayman said.

Tickets are required for people to be admitted to the fenced-in area close to the stage. But Fayman said those who don't have tickets can still come to the park and hear the president from farther away on the park grounds.

DETAILS OF PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

Be prepared

Bring cameras or video cameras

Bring blankets, but no lawn chairs

Bring picnic lunches, but no coolers

Be prepared for the weather. The event will be held rain or shine. Consider sunscreen.

Anything brought into the park will pass through a metal detector and may be inspected. Keep items to a minimum.

Bring banners.

Strollers are allowed.

Streets surrounding the park will be closed.

West End Blvd. from Parkview to Broadway.

Broadway from West End Blvd. to Perry.

Perry from Broadway to Parkview

Parkview from Perry to West End Blvd.

Mississippi River Bridge

The Mississippi River Bridge will be closed a few minutes before President Clinton leaves Capaha Park. It will reopen as soon as the motorcade is on its way to Cairo, Ill.

Motorcade delays

Police will close the streets from the airport to Capaha Park shortly before Clinton's arrival and keep them closed as he is traveling to the park.

Tickets

All tickets printed for the visit to Cape Girardeau were distributed. People without tickets who would like to see the president, vice president and their spouses are encouraged to go to the park. People won't be allowed inside the fenced area, but may watch from outside the fencing. People may also line the motorcade route to watch the six-bus caravan travel through the city.