Floods can't get residents of Commerce down

The tiny town of Commerce, Mo., may have given up its battle against the Mississippi River, but it hasn't given up on community pride and fun.

The community has survived countless floods since its early days, but after those of 1993 and 1995 most residents decided they had had enough. Many took advantage of the federal flood-buyout program and moved to higher ground.

Commerce residents decided to commemorate those days of flooding with an event they call Floodfest, and it has gotten bigger and better each of the five years it has been held. The most recent Floodfest featured for the first time rodeo-type team roping for anyone who wanted to participate, and about 100 people did. Now they're talking about having a rodeo every year.

Floodfest and all the other community events held each year at Commerce show that people of the area refuse to let a little thing like the Mississippi River interfere with their enduring community spirit.