SMOKE & FIRE IN THE SKY: FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS OFFER BARBECUE CONTEST, AND FIREWORKS, OF COURSE

This Fourth of July there may be smoke in the air but it isn't from the fireworks. It's the Sixth Annual Cobden Backyard Barbecue.

Teams come from Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky to be in the competition.

"People come from all over the area," said Dianne Flamm, chairperson of the barbecue.

The Cobden celebration is one of many being held in the region (see graphic), including festivities in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

The barbecue contest at Cobden Park is not an individual competition but a team effort. Teams consist of eight to ten people who compete in categories including chicken, pork chops and pork ribs.

There are three first places in each category and a grand champion overall, Flamm said. Contestants are judged by area barbecue judges. The group with the most points is the grand champion.

Last year's winners were Rebel Yell for chicken and Coastal for pork ribs. The Smoking River Rebels won the pork chop competition and the grand championship.

Joanna Spiller, team leader for the Smoking River Rebels, said the group has been barbecuing together for four years.

"We do everything together," Spiller said. ~"We are the best of friends."

Team member Debbie Yates came up with the specialty sauce the group uses. It was her longtime recipe. Part of the group travels and competes with Meyer's Barbecue of Jonesboro, Ill. Spiller said the team will be back in Cobden on the Fourth to defend their championship.

For more information on being in the barbecue competition, call Dianne Flamm at (618) 893-2425.

Both Cape Girardeau and Jackson are also hosting Fourth of July celebrations.

This Fourth of July is the City of Jackson's 184th birthday so the festivities are a double celebration. The Jackson Jaycees are in charge of the events.

Brent Willis, a member of the Jaycee Fourth of July Committee, said the Jaycees work hard every year to expand the event. This year's planning for the Fourth began in March.

"This year's events have been built upon from last year's. We hope to keep building on it until it is a well rounded family oriented event," Wills said.

Activities at City Park throughout the day will include a petting zoo, pony rides, various musical performances and a Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker Contest. A Fishing Rodeo will be held for children up to 15 years of age at the Rotary Lake, and fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

The Jackson R-2 Drug Free Advisory Council is sponsoring the Seventh Annual Drug Free 5K and 1 mile Fun Run/Walk in the Jackson City Park as part of the Fourth activities. Registration fee is $12. All proceeds go to Jackson R-2 Drug Education Fund.

Cape Girardeau's Fourth of July events list has been expanded from recent years.

Rodger Brown, a member of city's the Fourth of July Committee, said in past years the activities planned for the community have been pretty meager.

"The events planned should be much better this year," Brown said.

The VFW usually plans the Fourth of July festivities, but this year many volunteers from the community stepped forward to help out.

A parade to promote patriotism in children will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in Capaha Park. Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade. All events will be at Arena Park.

The magician Mickey Garrett will be performing twice on the Fourth, and Mandy the Clown will be on hand to make animal sculptures.

Procter and Gamble is sponsoring exhibits from the Bootheel Youth Museum at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. The displays give a historical look at events in the Bootheel from a child's viewpoint. The exhibits will remain at the Arena Building for a week following the Fourth of July.

July 4 celebrations

Cape Girardeau

All Day Fun

-Parade beginning at Capaha Park 10 a.m.

-Craft Show at Arena Building 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Dunking Booth 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

-Big Fun Inflatables 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Big Foot Paintball 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Pony Rides 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Face Painting 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Soccer Speed Kick 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Calf Petting Contest 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Bootheel Youth Museum 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Educare Kindergarten Passports noon-4 p.m.

Event Schedule

-Hockey Players 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

-All American Dog Contest 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

-Volleyball Tournament noon- 6 p.m.

-Songs by Miss Frost noon-12:30 p.m.

-Puppet Show 12:30-1 p.m.

-Magician Show 1-2 p.m.

-Richard Kline, Democratic candidate for 8th District, 1-2 p.m.

-Kids Be Fit 1-3 p.m.

-Pie Eating Contest 2-3 p.m.

-Songs by Miss Frost 3-3:30 p.m.

-Magician Show 3-4 p.m.

-Cow Milking Contest 4-5 p.m.

-Watermelon Eating Contest 5-5:30 p.m.

-Compton Heights Band 7-8:30 p.m.

-Fireworks dusk-10 p.m.

-House of One Band 10 p.m.-midnight

* Cape Police Department will enforce the midnight curfew for children 17 and under.

Jackson

-Drug Free Council Annual Fun Run 7:30-8:30 a.m.

-Mud Volleyball Contest 8 a.m.

-Car and Tractor Show 9 a.m.-noon.

-Bill Coomer, Magician 10-10:45 a.m.

-Night Shift (Music Area) 11-11:45 a.m.

-Gospel Music (Gospel Music Area) 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Easter Seals Bed Race (Tennis Courts) 11 a.m.

-Night Shift noon-12:45 p.m.

-Drug Free Council Kids Games 1 p.m.

-Night Shift 1-1:45 p.m.

-Fishing Rodeo (Rotary Lake -- kids to age 15) 2-4 p.m.

-Bill Coomer, Magician 2-2:45 p.m.

-Lions Club Watermelon and Pie Eating Contest 3 p.m.

-Night Shift 3-3:45 p.m.

-Donnie Harris You Can Be A Star Karaoke 4-8 p.m.

-Cape County Young Farmers Tractor Peddle Pull 6 p.m.

-Hot Air Balloon Lift Off 6 p.m.

-Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker Contest (Band Shell) 7-8 p.m.

-Muny Band Concert (Band Shell) 8-9:15 p.m.

-Fireworks Display 9:30 p.m.

Cobden, Ill.

-Contestants are wanted for the 6th Annual Cobden Backyard Barbecue to be held in Cobden Park. Cook-off categories include chicken, pork chops and pork ribs. Advance registration is required. For more information call the Village of Cobden at (618)893-2425 or Dianne Flamm at (618) 893-2861.

-Participants are wanted for a craft show and flea market also in Cobden Park. Booth rental is $7.50. for more information call the Village of Cobden at (618) 893-2425.

Bernie

-Parade 10 a.m.

-Speeches 11:30 a.m.

-Bubble Gum Blowing Contest 1 p.m.

-Water Balloon Toss 1:30 p.m.

-Three-legged Race 2 p.m.

-Potato Races 2:30 p.m.

-Pretty Legs Contest 3 p.m.

Piggott, Ark.

-The annual Miss Piggott Beauty Contest will be held at 8 p.m. Cash and prizes will go to the first, second and third place winners. For more information call (573) 328-1155 or (573) 328-4446. A reservation is requested but not required.

New Madrid

-The New Madrid Chamber of Commerce will sponsor it's annual Riverfront Festival, to begin at 4 p.m. An assortment of food and drink will be available along the levee. Activities include raffles, fun stuff for kids of all ages and an evening fireworks display over the Mississippi River.