'THANKSGIVING FOR FREEDOM': CAPE GIRARDEAU AND JACKSON CELEBRATE FOURTH OF JULY

On Wednesday, Cape Girardeau declared its dependence on Independence Day again.

"I could just sit here and ooh' and aahh' all night," said Vernice Baumstark, sitting in a lawn chair at the intersection of Main and Themis streets.

The sky over the Mississippi River exploded in fireworks colors that haven't been seen over the water for years as Cape Girardeau marked July Fourth with over 7,000 watching from Riverfront Park.

A community fireworks show has started and fizzled out several times in recent years. VFW Post No. 3838 declined to keep organizing the events last year due to poor attendance and a lack of outside funding.

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau took the lead in reestablishing the tradition this spring by committing to contribute $10,000 to buy fireworks. As more sponsors supported the idea, more than $20,000 was raised, said Terri Clark-Bauer, bureau director.

A hesitance by community groups last year to step in where the VFW had stopped created the most recent void, Clark-Bauer said.

"When we started making calls, people were ready to support," she said.

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band helped build the holiday atmosphere by playing patriotic and popular songs for over an hour before the 20-minute show started.

The fireworks couldn't be shot from Arena Park, unlike past years, Clark-Bauer said.

"They're using eight-inch shells," she said. "The fire department tells us we need to give 70 feet of distance for each inch of a shell. So that's why we're here."

Mayor Al Spradling believes this establishes a more solid basis for continued fireworks shows on the riverfront.

"The community doesn't gather together downtown enough anyway," he said.

Seven-year-old Stephanie Gibson of Cape Girardeau spent last July Fourth camping. Watching fireworks and a full moon over the Mississippi was an improvement, she said.

"This brings us together," said Baumstark, 84. "It's sort of a thanksgiving for our freedom."

Jackson celebration

A day-long celebration of the Fourth in Jackson, Mo., attracted more than 40,000, said Tim Wright, organizer of the event for the Jackson Jaycees.

"I looked out there at noon and couldn't even see the street for the people," said Wright, Jaycees' president.

Growing crowds are a result of increased sponsorship by area businesses, he said.

"We can work our tails off, but it takes the volunteers and sponsors to pull it off," he said.

An extra $6,000 for this year's fireworks show, which the Jaycees operate themselves, allowed purchases of bigger shells and specialty shells. Sponsors' support had tripled fireworks spending to $10,000 last year.

A petting zoo, rides for small children, a car show with more than 200 entries and 48 teams playing mud volleyball was enough to keep everyone's' attention until the fireworks show, Wright said.

Lane McClard of Jackson watched men and women dive after volleyballs in knee-deep mud from a lawn chair in the shade. His age wouldn't allow him to participate, he said, but he enjoyed watching.

Fifteen teams were turned away from playing mud volleyball, Wright said, since the advance-registration event was limited to 48 teams and fills up fast.

Rick Seabaugh of Sedgewickville, Mo., took home an extra award for his 69 SS Camaro this year. He won the trophy for best Camaro in his class for the third time, but also received the first Mayor's trophy.

"It's generally defined as the car the mayor would most like to take a ride in," said Dave Jackson, president of the Capaha Antique Car Club.

Since Jackson Mayor Paul Sanders was not available Wednesday, Wright made the choice instead.

"It was just rebuilt very nicely," Wright said.

Seabaugh, who said he has spent over $22,000 on the Camaro after buying it four years ago, said it won another mayor's trophy at a show in Farina, Ill.

Other Jackson car show winners included Jim Miller's 67 Chevrolet pickup for best truck and John Mayfield's 65 Mustang for best car.