Cannonball Run to rumble into Cape Girardeau today

If you hear a deep rumbling coming from the east today, don't worry. It's not a storm.

More than 100 vintage motorcycles will cross the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge into Cape Girardeau this afternoon as part of the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run. The coast-to-coast race started Friday in Daytona Beach, Florida, and riders will reach the finish line at Tacoma, Washington, on Sept. 21.

Riders will leave Clarksville, Tennessee, this morning and cross the day-five finish line at Spanish Street in Cape Girardeau around 4 p.m. Once the riders arrive, the public is invited to a welcome party to interact with the riders and learn more about the motorcycles.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to see 110 pre-1930s vintage motorcycles," said Chuck Martin, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Around 5 p.m. the public can see the bikes up close. Each features a plaque with information about the motorcycle and its rider. Commentary about each rider also will be broadcast as they cross the finish line on South Spanish Street near Merriweather Street.

The riders promise to be as diverse as the motorcycles themselves. They hail from 24 different states and 10 different countries, including South Africa, Italy, France and Germany.

Cape Girardeau has been a stop for similar events in the past, including the 2014 Corvette Caravan and the 2013 Hemmings Motor News Great Race. The city took Best Overnight Stop City honors for its welcome to the Great Racers. Martin said he also received praise from members of the Corvette Caravan for Cape Girardeau's enthusiasm and expects the Cannonball riders will receive an equally warm welcome.

"Cape Girardeau is a community that does it and does it right," he said. "The citizens really add to that feeling of warmth and welcome."

Martin said it was a privilege for Cape Girardeau to be included as one of the stops in the race and encourages families and individuals to stop downtown and participate in the festivities. Free parking and shuttles to the event are available from 4 to 9 p.m. at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

The evening wraps up at 6:45 p.m. as the Cannonball Run riders leave the downtown area in a parade from North Spanish Street to Broadway, then on to Kings­highway and to William Street. The riders and their crews will spend the night in Cape Girardeau before heading to the next stop in Sedalia, Missouri.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Spanish Street and Merriweather Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.