BATTLE OF BANDS, COMEDIAN TO HIGHLIGHT YOUTH EXPO '93

A "battle of the bands" and a nationally acclaimed comedian will headline Youth Expo `93, Oct. 28-30, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Abbey Crites, one of the expo organizers, said the event is an occasion for young people to have a good time while learning about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.

"Really, we're not wanting to get in their face and lecture them with the `just say no' thing," Crites said. "We just want to say to the kids, `Look, there's so many more things that are fun that you can do.'

"Hopefully we can show the community there is a need for these types of activities in Cape and get the ball rolling. I think people are just dying for activity that's fun and challenging and healthy.

"This is a great opportunity for kids to really get out and be kids."

On Oct. 28, the event will kick off with a panel of local experts and officials discussing the role of alcohol in society. The following night, on Friday, there will be the battle of the bands, featuring about eight area bands.

Crites said several local companies will sponsor the event and provide prizes for the winner.

"The music industry in the area is responding very well, and it looks like we'll be able to offer the winning band about $1,000 in cash and prizes," she said.

On Saturday, events are planned from noon until 5 p.m. "On Saturday, the events will be targeted for youth in grades one through eight," Crites said.

The Saturday afternoon activities include wall climbing, a baseball throw competition, basketball shoot-out and free throw games, an obstacle course, sack and three-legged races, volleyball, and other games.

On Saturday night, the battle of the bands winner will perform, along with sororities from Southeast Missouri State University.

Those activities will be the prelude to Michael Pritchard, a Southeast Missouri State graduate and nationally known comedian.

Pritchard, who now lives in California, travels the nation speaking to groups about drugs and alcohol, using humor to urge kids to live a substance-free life.

Also Saturday, there will be door prizes and a costume parade contest.

"We're still firming up a lot of the activities, but with the expo more than a month away, it just continues to grow," Crites said. "We're really excited about it, and I think it's going to be a lot of fun."

The event is sponsored by the Department of Health and Leisure, recreational sports and the Student Activities Council at Southeast, the city's Parks and Recreation Department, and the university's Department of Public Safety.

On Friday, there will be a shuttle from the events at the Show Me Center to the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department's haunted house at Arena Park.

The shuttle is free, and admission to the haunted house is $2 for students and $3 for adults.

A free shuttle also will be provided Saturday to take persons from the Show Me Center to showings of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" on campus.

For more information about Youth Expo `93, contact Crites at 651-5128.