Thousands attend Libertyfest, air show

The first combined Libertyfest and air show was by most accounts a success.

Beverly and Gerald Stott of Cape Girardeau loved being at the airport.

"I just love the planes," said Beverly Stott, adding that pushing her husband's wheelchair over the airport's flat concrete was far easier than navigating through downtown Cape Girardeau.

Lizzie Hinkle, 14, said she would have skipped the air show in favor of the fireworks later in the evening, but her family wanted to see the planes. Hinkle brought two friends, Michaela Whitehurst and Delaney Deiro, both 14, and Whitehurst said they were having fun just spending time together while waiting for nightfall and fireworks.

Jason Brown, 14, and brothers Josh and Daniel Mattison, 17 and 16, respectively, said they liked the jet-powered Dodge truck the best.

Gloria Farr and Tom Dudley of Millersville arrived earlier in the day for the air show, but had to leave for other family events. They hoped to return in time for the evening's fireworks.

By 7:45 p.m., 6,559 people had passed through the gates at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. Stephen Cohen, 16, of Anna, Ill., stood at the gate with a counter, clicking as fast as possible; before he handed it off to the next volunteer, his counting device had recorded more than 6,800 people. No estimate was available for a second gate.

The crowds caused long lines for concessions and portable restrooms. Two women, who asked to remain unidentified, slipped into the ladies room inside the hangar and took several rolls of toilet paper to put in some of portable toilets. That, they said, was their only complaint about the event.

Sgt. Brad Moore of Cape Girardeau Police Department said this was the first time police had ever had to coordinate traffic arriving at the airport for a show. He said that was a good problem to have, though some drivers said later they were frustrated at being stuck in traffic.

The Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority provided four buses and free rides to people who needed them.

Airport advisory board member Walt Wildman said he saw the biggest crowd ever for an air show. He suggested high gas prices and free admission were the main reasons people seemed to flock to this year's event.

Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape, said the crowd was "very, very good" as she surveyed people settled in on blankets bleachers or lawn chairs watching the Lima Lima air team barrel by in a missing man formation. The sound of taps filled the air and some spectators stood, hands over hearts.

As late as 8 p.m. a line of cars continued to flow into the airport's grassy parking spots; the overflow lots were opened at 6:50 p.m.

Many of those who attended said they were happy about the relatively mild temperatures and cloud cover.

Jane Randol Jackson, co-founder of the Red House Interpretive Center and former director of the Cape Girardeau County Archive Center, was presented this year's Spirit of America Award.

The evening came to a glittery close as fireworks flew into the air.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

Golden Knights parachute at Libertyfest

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