SUPERMAN CELEBRATION BEGINS TODAY; ANNUAL METROPOLIS, ILL., EVENT MAY DRAW 60,000

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- A lot has happened to America's No. 1 comic-book super-hero, Superman, over the past decade:

-- He died.

-- He was rejuvenated as a near robot, minus his cape.

-- He married reporter Lois Lane.

But now the traditional Superman is back.

"He's the same old Superman who made his appearance in this world 60 years ago," said Dan Milam of the Metropolis newspaper, The Planet.

Superman's former and preferred look is just in time for the annual Superman Celebration being held in this community of about 7,500 this week. Milam is coordinator of the celebration.

All the changes Superman has gone through have mattered little to the residents of Metropolis, the self-proclaimed hometown of Superman.

This marks Metropolis' 20th annual Superman Celebration here, and it is no little thing.

Superman fans from across the nation pour into the community, which sits alongside the Ohio River just off Interstate 24.

The celebration is one of two notable events for the town. It attracts between 55,000 and 60,000 people during its four-day run. The other -- the annual October Fort Massac Encampment -- draws up to 100,000 people.

The Superman Celebration starts today with a street fair, carnival and local hero contest. Official opening ceremonies are set for 6 p.m. at Superman Square near the 16-foot Superman statue.

The statue has been spruced up for the celebration: Jim Hambrick, a Superman collector for more than 30 years and owner of the Superman Museum on Superman Square, repainted it.

Superman's 60th birthday will be observed today at 7 p.m., complete with a musical tribute and a 60-foot Subway sandwich to be served by Massac County High School cheerleaders.

On hand Saturday will be Lane Smith, who plays Daily Planet newspaper editor Perry White on the ABC televison series, "Lois and Clark and the New Adventures of Superman."

Smith joins a lengthy list of Superman stars who have visited Metropolis in recent years. They include Kirk Alyn, a movie star who portrayed Superman in a 15-film series produced from 1946 to 1948; Tommy Bond, who played Jimmy Olson in the same series; Phyllis Coates, who played Lois Lane from 1951 to 1953 on the "Adventures of Superman" series; and John Haynes Newton, who played Superboy in the television series of the 1980s.

Also in town will be two comic-book artists: Rick Stasi and Jon Bogdanove.

Bogdanove is a Superman comic artist and writer, said Hambrick. "He recently did the artwork for a 60-year tribute cover for the new Overstreet Comic Guide," he said.

Bogdanove and Stasi create many monsters and nether words found on the pages of today's popular comic books.

"These guys are accorded superstar status," said Hambrick. "They'll be on hand to do sketches and autographs.

The Superman Celebration is one of participation. There are plenty of entertainment options -- concerts, variety shows, and exhibitions -- but there are numerous participation events that include a super trek bike ride, a Superman 4-mile road race, Superman three-on-three basketball tournament, Superman tennis tournament, the super dog contest, and many children's games, including a video game contest.

Of course, Superman will be here in his traditional costume.

Superman fans have witnessed an almost complete metamorphosis of Superman since 1992.

It was in 1992 that Superman, who has been battling the bad guys for more than five decades, met his match while once again fighting to protect his beloved city of Metropolis against his most lethal opponent ever -- the big, bad "Doomsday" -- in a battle that ended in the death of both hero and villain.

A very different Superman emerged the following year, sort of super-charged minus a red cape.

Somewhere along the way he got married but then split into two Supermen -- the carefree "Red" character and the more serious "Blue" character.

And within the past month, just in time for the annual Metropolis celebration, the traditional Superman has suddenly reappeared.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Today

All day: street fair, arts and crafts, sidewalk sales and carnival rides.

6 p.m.: opening ceremonies and balloon release on Superman Square.

6:15 p.m.: musical tribute to Superman with Jamie Aaron Kelley and emcee Rick Stasi.

7 p.m.: 60-foot Subway sandwich to honor Superman's 60th birthday.

7 p.m.: 4-mile road race and 2-mile fun walk starting at Fort Massac pavilion.

Friday

All day: street fair, arts and crafts, Friends of Library book fair, sidewalk sales and carnival rides.

10 a.m.-noon: Sketchings by artist Rick Stasi, Superman Square.

1 p.m.: John Fields' "Superman the All-American Hero," a one-man show at Players Theater. Youth games from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

2 to 4 p.m.: John Bogdnove, comic-drawing workshop, 701 Market.

4 to 6 p.m.: Three-on-three basketball tournament.

6:30 p.m.: Lane Smith appearance, Christian rock group.

8 p.m: Jamie Aaron Kelley, Elvis is Alive tribute.

9 p.m.: Classic rock and oldies group.

8 p.m.: Superman movie marathon, Player Theater.

Saturday

All day: street fair, arts and crafts, Friends of Library book fair, sidewalk sales and carnival rides.

8 a.m.: bicycle ride, Fort Massac Park; tennis tournament, Lincoln Park.

10 a.m.: Little Miss Super Girl and Mr. Super Boy contest, Superman Square; living history at Fort Massac; children's activities, Superman Square; Game Wizard video game contest, 701 Market.

Noon: Lane Smith, Jon Bogdanove, autograph sessions, Superman Square.

1 p.m.: John Field"s Superman show, Players Theater; Lois and Clark pool tournament.

4 p.m.: talent show, Superman Square.

6 p.m.: parade and car cruise with Smith and Bogdanove.

7 p.m.: country music band.

8 p.m.: bluegrass music.

Sunday

All day: street fair; car show, Fort Massac.

10 a.m.: living history, Fort Massac.

1 p.m.: children's activities, Superman Square.

2 p.m. local church choir and other performers.

4 p.m. gospel music.