Veterans Day Extravaganza coming to The Venue Nov. 11 to 13

In an effort to help military veterans and facilitate lasting friendships, two local organizers have spent the last four months planning a new event called the Veterans Day Extravaganza.

The event, slated for Nov. 11 through 13 at The Venue in Cape Girardeau, will include representatives from social-service agencies as well as other potential resources for veterans who might need them, said Bobby Warner, The Venue's event coordinator and a veteran himself.

The event is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted.

"This is a three-day event to raise as much money as we can for veterans in the tri-state area," Warner said.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a party at 8 p.m. Friday featuring entertainment by Bruce Zimmerman.

The party at 8 p.m. Saturday will include Dr. Fever and the Venus Flytrap.

The following day, hours are from noon to 6 p.m., with a performance by the Jerry Ford Orchestra at 3 p.m.

Chris Stout, president of the Veterans Community Project in Kansas City, Missouri, which helps make tiny houses available to qualified veterans, also plans to speak at 6 p.m. Friday.

Terri Jestus, who approached Warner with the idea for the event, has three brothers who have served in the military, one of whom recently was diagnosed with cancer.

She was looking for a venue to hold a benefit for her critically ill brother and approached Warner, who happened to be planning a similar event for Veterans Day weekend.

The Veterans Day Extravaganza was born when the two decided to join forces.

Warner, who knows what it's like to worry about a loved one and how daunting it can be to find help, was glad to get going on the project.

Seven years ago, someone close to Warner was hospitalized in critical condition, and it took him countless hours on the phone to find the appropriate resources.

Even then, it was a patchwork quilt.

"The numbers were scattered everywhere," he said. "It was so hard on me at the time. I wanted to pull resources together and couldn't find the help, and now I'm in a position to do that."

The goal for the event is to bring every imaginable resource under one roof, in the hopes it will become an annual event and provide a one-stop shop for anything a veteran might need.

"A major connection is going to be made during these three days," Warner said.

Warner and Jestus also are working on a website that will be available year-round to help veterans find resources as they attempt to assimilate back into civilian life, whether it's help overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder, finding a job, going back to school or even finding clothing and shoes.

Proceeds from vendor booths and part of the evening performances at the Veterans Day Extravaganza will benefit Soldiers' Angels, the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home and the Marion, Illinois, VA hospital.

The event also will include a room in memory of fallen soldiers. One-hundred spots are available for $100 each. To reserve a memorial spot or vendor booth space, call The Venue at (573) 651-6681.

Pertinent address:

80 S. Plaza Way, Cape Girardeau, Mo.