Thousands attend Cape, Jackson Fourth of July celebrations

Souped-up show cars and crashed derby cars were among the attractions at the Fourth of July festivities in Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

Jackson celebrated the Fourth of July with a 5K run, a car, truck and motorcycle show, music and dance and a fireworks display.

"For a pretty day on the Fourth we expected a lot of people," said Dave Jackson, organizer for the show.

Jackson, who handed out 120 awards, said 200 people registered for the show.

"I like seeing all the cars and teaching people about the cars," said Andrew Hente of Jackson, who showed his 1998 GMC Sonoma with a compressor air tank under the hood painted like a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can.

Hente was a top point finalist in the modified truck category. Another winner, Stan Johnson of Gordonville, brought his 1957 unrestored Mac firetruck to the show. Johnson said he likes bringing it out for children to climb on and it's always a conversation starter.

A colonial camp was set up, where visitors could try their hand at hatchet throwing and pony rides were available for children. Later into the night the Southern Brothers and the Jackson Municipal Band played concerts, before a fireworks display that cost $6,000. About 2,500 people attended festivities throughout the day.

"This was the least problematic of any event as far as parking, fireworks and weather. It went really smooth," said Shane Anderson, member of the organizing committee.

In Cape Girardeau, the demolition derby and firework display concluded the three-day Fourth of July celebration hosted by the U.S.A. Veterans, which started with a concert by country musician Darryl Worley on Friday and arenacross and free concerts by local bands on Saturday.

The Arena grandstand was packed with red, white and blue by 6 p.m. Sunday, and Rodger Brown, U.S.A. Veterans commander and event organizer, estimated about 2,800 people were at the derby.

"This is the largest crowd yet, and I'm elated," Brown said. "This is what this event is all about, getting all these people together to have a good time."

"It gets us out of the house and gets the community together," said Dustin Matty, who's been a derby driver for three years.

Although the cars are junked after the derby, Matty said his hobby wasn't that hard on the wallet. Working parts are taken out of the crushed car frame and put into a new frame for the next derby.

Trevor Niswonger, another derby driver, picked up his first win this year and received a trophy and $800. "It's an addiction," he said. "... I'm probably going to buy me another car and tires. All the money goes back to derby."

Also Sunday night, the Spirit of America award was given to Rob Callahan, the founder of the Honor Tour, which takes veterans on trips to Washington, D.C.

"I am very humbled and honored, to put it simply; it caught me totally blindsided," Callahan said.

After Callahan's award, the derby concluded and a special audio clip was played in honor of the people who have fought for America from the Revolutionary War to today.

"It's all about honoring our veterans and active duty soldiers, and I think Southeast Missouri is doing a terrific job," Callahan said.

Christy Walsh came from Illinois to watch a couple of friends in the derby.

"When the color guard came out and they played the tape of the story, I almost started crying," Walsh said.

"Those were the best fireworks I've ever seen around here in about 20 years at least," Walsh said.

The firework display was choreographed by American Pyrotechnics, which also choreographed the firework show last year. Brown said the firework show cost about $10,000.

"Those were the best I've ever seen right here in Cape," said Rodger Raimts of Cape Girardeau. "I sure will be back next year."

Although the first two days of the event weren't as big as Brown expected, he said U.S.A. Veterans would be hosting again next year and may make it a four-day celebration.

breutzel@semissourian.com

388-3654

Pertinent address:

Jackson, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO