SEMO STUDENTS GREETED WITH PICNIC AT CAPAHA

More than 1,000 Southeast Missouri State University students were welcomed back from their summer break with music, canoes rides, bubbles, hot dogs and a pleasant spring-like day Sunday at Capaha Park.

The seventh installment of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Welcome Back Student Picnic was appreciated by both students and sponsors.

"It's like a breath of fresh air," said Marsha Edwards, who was helping out at the Ameritech cellular phone booth. "All these kids came together to have a good time and we didn't even have to tap a keg."

Justine Kruski, a 19-year-old Southeast student from St. Louis, said she doesn't know of another community that holds a party to issue in the new school year. "I didn't come last year but I'm glad I came this year," she said. "It's really a nice way for the community and the college to interact."

John Grimm, a Cape Girardeau County circuit judge, organized this year's event and spent part of his day Sunday handing out hot dogs and Cokes. He said one of the ways the Chamber keeps track of how many people attend the picnic is by how much food is given away.

Grimm said the picnic routinely feeds 1,000 to 1,500 people each year.

That just takes into account the people eating. There were some who spent their day playing volleyball, throwing Frisbees, paddling canoes in the Capaha Park lagoon or making bubbles at a makeshift bubble bath.

Grimm said the Chamber wanted to find some way to express its appreciation for Southeast's students.

"This has turned into a very popular event that I think students look forward to each year," said Grimm, a former Southeast student. "There was never anything going on the night before school started and some of us in the Chamber felt like we wanted to do something to welcome students back."

Fall semester classes at Southeast begin today.

Jay Goff, who works in admissions at Southeast, was manning the bubble bath for awhile Saturday and Sunday. He said it turned into one of the most popular areas.

"Yesterday we were making those big man-sized bubbles. You would be amazed at the crowd that attracted," he said.

One of the most unique aspects of the picnic is the opportunity students have to do what no one else is allowed to do -- sail the lagoon. Greg Hansen, assistant director for recreational sports at Southeast, said the university made available seven canoes that were in constant use by students.

Taking a boat onto the park's lagoon is strictly prohibited at all other times throughout the year, Hanson said. Organizers had to get special permission. Rescue workers from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department were on hand all day with a boat in case of a problem.

The line for the canoe rides was deep throughout the day Sunday.

"It gets more popular every year," Hansen said.