The Great American Fourth of July celebration was held at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 4, 2021. The all-day event included food trucks, bicentennial murals on display inside the A.C. Brase Arena, chalk art with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and free t-shirts. The Missouri Bicentennial mural reveal was also included in the annual celebration. Special guests and dignitaries discussed the history of Missouri and the celebration of the state’s bicentennial, including Frank Nickell, who gave a speech on “why Missouri matters.” Following a performance of patriotic music by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band in the evening, the Southeast Missourian presented the 19th Spirit of America Award to Stephen Limbaugh Sr. The event concluded with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
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