Storytelling Festival to include shuttle for those with disabilities

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced a shuttle schedule for people with disabilities during the Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival that begins Friday and continues through Sunday.

The city bus and three golf carts will help people get to and from tents.

Chuck Martin, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and festival co-producer, said people with moderate disabilities should bring a friend who can help them move over grassy areas. Those who need a wheelchair lift should call Cape Transit Authority directly to coordinate, he said.

Though pets are barred from the tents, people with assistance dogs will be allowed inside.

The shuttle route is:

* CVB's building at 400 Broadway

* West to Frederick Street

* South on Frederick Street to Morgan Oak Street

* River Campus at the Old Bridge Overlook (where people can get to the River Campus Southern Convenience Store tent)

* North on South Spanish Street, picking up people who want to go downtown

* East on William Street

* North on Main Street, stopping at Red House

* CVB's tent at Main and Merriwether streets

* Main Street and Broadway (old CVB building)

* Broadway and Spanish (Drury Hotels/Drury Southwest tent), where the golf carts are headquartered.

"We will do everything within our power to accommodate people," Martin said. "I do want them to understand this is in a natural setting. The tents are outside. If someone has no mobility, there are going to have to be special arrangements."

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127