SPONSORS ARE SOUGHT TO PAY FOR CITY FLAGS

Community and corporate sponsors are needed to underwrite development and design costs of the first official Cape Girardeau city and children's flags.

The idea for a city flag originated in 1992 when a group of students suggested the city needed a flag. A contest sponsored by the Class of 2000 and Vision 2000 was held in January for local artists to submit their designs for an official city flag as well as a children's flag.

Organizers said the flags symbolize Cape Girardeau's heritage and foster city pride. They also represent Cape Girardeau's place in Missouri and national history. Cape Girardeau resident Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver designed the state flag.

Two winners were selected following a public vote in March after a panel of judges narrowed the designs to five adult's and three children's entries. Cape Girardeau artist Jim Parker and Samantha Roussel, 9, submitted the winning entries.

Parker, a local artist, is the founder of the University Museum. His design for the official city flag featured the Common Pleas Courthouse and roses and will be flown at City Hall, city offices, local businesses and private homes.

Roussel is the daughter of Bill and Sue Roussel. Her children's flag design featured the Mississippi River, Cape Rock and roses and will be flown at local elementary schools, the public library and other "kid-friendly" sites.

Class of 2000 sponsor Julia Jorgensen said the flags will be unveiled during the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band concert at 8 p.m. July 8 in Capaha Park. Flags will be available for purchase at the concert. Prices are $5 for pennant-sized flags, $50 for 3-by-5-foot home-sized flags, and $75 for 4-by-6-foot business-sized flags.

Community and corporate sponsors are encouraged to make donations in one of three color categories to help offset screening and design costs of the flags, said Jorgensen. Categories and sponsorship benefits include:

-- Red -- $250 donation, certificate and choice of home- or business-sized city or children's flag;

-- White -- $100 donation, certificate and choice of home- or business-sized city or children's flag;

-- Blue -- $50 donation, certificate and choice of pennant-sized city or children's flag.

For more information or to become a sponsor contact Melvin Gateley at (573) 334-1303.