RIVERBOAT DOCKINGS DOWN THIS YEAR

Paddle wheeler riverboat traffic along the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Cape Girardeau will be down during the first year of the new millennium.

The "Queens" will make only four stops here in 2000, three of them by the Mississippi Queen.

Joining the Mississippi Queen here July 3, will be the Delta Queen, during the annual new Orleans-to-St. Louis race.

The American Queen, the largest of three paddle wheel riverboats operated by the New Orleans-based Delta Queen Steamboat Co., will not visit Cape Girardeau this year.

In past years, the Queens have made as many as a dozen stops.

"The Queens change their docking schedule from year to year, said Lin Jones, group sales director for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Last year each of the three Queens stopped here three times."

But, this year, the R/B River Explorer a floating hotel and touring vessel headquartered in New Orleans has expanded its schedule, and will top here seven times, including a couple of over-night stays, said Jones.

The riverboats are a source of many visitors to the Cape Girardeau area. Each of the riverboats carry more than 200 passengers.

At 70 percent capacity, the riverboat dockings would result in more than 2,000 visitors to the city during the summer months. Bus tours to the city account for another 2,000-plus visitors.

Visitors will be flocking to Cape Girardeau this month for some big events.

Vietnam Wall exhibit

The Convention and Business Bureau, located in downtown Cape Girardeau, in cooperation with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion and Viet Nam vets, is sponsoring a traveling wall display that honors soldiers from the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam Wall exhibit will be on display April 20 through 24 on the grounds at the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

The display is open 24 hours a day and there is no admission charge.

"We need some volunteers for the five-day event," said Terri Clark-Bauer, CVB director. "Thousands of visitors are expected to attend this year."

More than 50,000 people looked at the wall in 1989, when it was last displayed here.

Activities planned during the wall exhibit include a wreath-laying ceremony and a candlelight ceremony.

Volunteers are need for a variety of duties -- parking, security, greeting, maintenance and others -- in three shifts. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day.

Another big event this month will send many visitors through the area.

Scenic Drive

The 10th annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive, will take place April 29-30, with a number of stops throughout the Southeast Missouri area, from Perryville South to Benton and from Sedgewickville east to Trail of Tears State park and Cape Girardeau.

Special events have been planed at communities along the route. Maps and a schedule of events is available at the CVB.

Other April events include a Spring Wildflower Event at Trail of Tears State Park; a Pre-Easter Gospel Sing and talent competition and the CAYCA City of Roses Soccer Tournament,

"A lot of activities impact visitors to Cape Girardeau," said Jones. These include the annual arts and crafts extravaganza held at a number of sites on a November weekend, various golf tournaments and a number of large soccer tournaments. Two large events held outside the Cape Girardeau area funnel visitors into the area -- the annual Sikeston Rodeo and a national quilt show at Paducah, Ky., which will be held later this month.

BOAT DOCKINGS:

May 1: Mississippi Queen, 8 a.m. to 1

June 6: River Explorer, 3 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 3: Great River Race, between New Orleans and St. Louis

Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen here, 8 a.m. to noon. Explorer, 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 5: River Explorer, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aug. 3: Mississippi Queen, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aug. 6: River Explorer, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sept. 7: River Explorer, 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sept. 15-16: River Explorer, 10 p.m., overnight to 1 p.m.

Sept. 21: River Explorer, 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Midnight overnight to 1 p.m.

Oct. 10: Mississippi Queen, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.