Vets group counting on proceeds from weekend celebration in Cape

While there is no admission fee to come to Arena Park for the Fourth of July celebration this weekend, the group organizing it is depending on the proceeds raised from ticket sales at various shows throughout the event.

"This is an expensive undertaking, and we need help paying the bills," said Rodger Brown, U.S.A. Veterans commander. "There is a misconception that the city pays for this. They do not."

Donation jars also will be located throughout the park for people who would like to help contribute to the U.S.A. Veterans organization, Brown said.

The estimated cost of putting on the event is about $60,000, which includes the fireworks display Sunday night.

People must buy tickets for the concert by country star Darryl Worley on Friday night, the Arenacross on Saturday night and the demolition derby Sunday night. Tickets for the concert are $20 for bleacher seats and $50 for box seats. Tickets for the other two events are $10 each.

People will not be admitted into the grandstand area to watch the fireworks Sunday night unless they have bought a ticket to the demolition derby, Brown said.

Last year, people who attended the demolition derby and then got up for refreshments before the fireworks were upset that they lost their seats when the grandstand was opened up to the public, Brown said.

Between the demolition derby and the fireworks Sunday night, the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band will perform and the Southeast Missourian's Spirit of America award will be presented by Rex Rust.

The fireworks show will be visible from throughout the park but is designed to be viewed from inside the grandstand, he said.

Some preparations for this weekend's event began about 8 a.m. Thursday, and about 20 volunteers with the U.S.A. Veterans group were expected to continue working until about midnight setting up for the celebration, which starts at noon today with "Redneck Games."

The games, including a toilet seat horseshoes, dunking booth, "Sure Shot" pool game, cap toss and doggie poo toss, will be set up carnival-style in the 4-H Livestock Building. The cost to play most of the games is $1 for two chances.

"A lot of people are talking about the 'Redneck Games' because they find it so humorous," Brown said.

While local veterans groups joined together last year to put on an Independence Day celebration, this year U.S.A. Veterans has taken over the event planning this year. The group expects an even larger crowd than the 5,000 that attended last year in part because of the weekend weather forecast and in part because of additional activities at this year's event.

"The whole concept is to make this the one time of the year when our community can come together," Brown said. "We want to have something that will appeal to everyone."

More than 20 vendors will be at the park selling T-shirts, food and drinks. Vendors will have brats, hot dogs, curly fries, snow cones, ice cream and kettle corn. There also will be two beer tents, at each end of the grandstand area. People will not be allowed to bring their own coolers.

Special events on Saturday include a family bike tour of local historic sites and a free concert featuring five local bands will start at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Arena Building.

A complete list of activities during the Fourth of July Celebration at Arena Park can be found at www.semoevents.com.

mmiller@semissouriancom

388-3646

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410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO