RIVERFEST SALUTES CAPE GIRARDEAU'S BICENTENNIAL

Riverfest '93 salutes Cape Girardeau's 200 years on the Mississippi with activities for the entire family. The weekend's events will begin with the annual run through downtown Cape Girardeau Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Riverfest is one of the city's biggest events, said Peggy Barringer, president of the Riverfest Board of Directors. "Since Riverfest began, we've watched this event grow from a fairly small riverfront festival to an event that is recognized throughout the Midwest as a quality family festival," she said.

Barringer said with the excellent entertainment lineup this year, and special bicentennial events, they are looking forward to showing even more people a good time along the Mississippi in Cape Girardeau.

This year's activities range from a bicentennial parade to the re-creation of an 1840s fur-trading post. Also occurring will be the Miss Riverfest competition, Riverfest Midnight Ramble, and a fireworks display grand finale.

The theme for Riverfest '93 is "Celebrate Cape," said Evelyn LeGrand, vice president of operations for the Riverfest Board of Directors. "I think the emphasis and the atmosphere of this year's Riverfest are going to be different than in the past because of the city's bicentennial," she said.

The American Mountain Men's 1840 Fur Trading Post is new to Riverfest this year. The activity is not something the board would plan for an ordinary Riverfest, but it is being held because of the city's bicentennial, LeGrand said.

"We got a neat thing going to happen with the small-scale re-enactment of the fur-trading post," Barringer said. "They will be doing demonstrations, and they encourage hands-on interaction with the spectators, especially with children," she said.

The post will feature black powder shooting, primitive fire starting and other activities of the period. Barringer said the post will be set up at the corner of Spanish and Themis and will be open the entire weekend.

Barringer said no river activities have been planned because of high water on the Mississippi.

"There will be things to do and see, and even if there isn't access to the river, it will not affect Riverfest," LeGrand said.

Also taking place Friday will be the sixth annual Miss Riverfest pageant at 6 p.m. on the main stage. "In the past the pageant has always been held on Saturday," said Barringer. "But we thought it would be nice to have her reign over Riverfest rather than crown her three hours before it was over. That way she is available for the parade and she can be on the grounds most of the day on Saturday."

Following the pageant the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band will perform, LeGrand said. "This is a different activity for Friday evening for us," she said. "The community is excited about Riverfest, and with the pageant on Friday and the Muny Band's performance it will be a delight," she said, "especially since it hasn't been at Riverfest for a number of years."

The Municipal Band's performance ties into the city's bicentennial because it will entertain the spectators with patriot songs and special selections that reflect the history of Cape Girardeau, Barringer said. "It will offer up-beat, fun, family entertainment," she said.

The Bicentennial Riverfest Parade is another one of the events that emphasizes the history of Cape Girardeau, LeGrand said.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will go from Capaha Park to Main Street. "Everyone loves a parade, and what better time than Riverfest to salute our city's heritage?" said Melvin Gateley of the city's Bicentennial Commission. "Cape's 200 years young and we hope lots of residents will join in the fun," he said.

The grand finale of Riverfest '93 will be the fireworks display on Saturday evening. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. "If you can't get to the river to watch them as in the past, then you may have to find somewhere else to watch," LeGrand said.

Corporate sponsors for Riverfest '93 are St. Francis Medical Center, Southwestern Bell Telephone, Fox 23 KBSI-TV, and Capital Bank.

"We have lots of wonderful sponsors, and we would like to encourage people who participate in Riverfest to patronize these and thank them for the event," Barringer said.

Shuttle buses originating from West Park Mall and the Show Me Center will be available for use on Friday and Saturday. They will run approximately every half hour from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.