Libertyfest, air show may join forces

At this summer's Libertyfest the sky over the Mississippi River in downtown Cape Girardeau could be filled with both fireworks and airplanes.

An attempt is being made to combine the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival with Cape Girardeau's annual Fourth of July celebration. The plan, which could be finalized in the next week or so, calls for Libertyfest to begin about 5:30 p.m. July 4 as usual. The air show, an abbreviated version of the festival usually staged at the airport, would be presented before and at twilight.

Last year's air festival lost money. It began only two days after Libertyfest and the tarmac sizzled with oppressive heat. "It was so close to the Fourth of July people didn't have a chance to recuperate," airport manager Bruce Loy said.

He said Cape Girardeau city manager Doug Leslie has wanted him to move the air show to an every-other-year schedule for some time. "Since the Fourth of July is on Friday, we thought we would give that a chance for one year," Loy said.

Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills said her organization, which sponsors Libertyfest, and Loy have to produce an exact schedule of events before the U.S. Coast Guard will approve closing the river. "Right now it's a domino game," she said.

She said Old Town Cape's Libertyfest will look much the same as in past years, with music by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band and other musical groups and a few vendors.

Both the airport and Old Town Cape should spend less on a combined show, Loy said.

About 8,000 people attended last year's air festival. It cost $150,000 to stage and lost more than $37,000. The festival included Friday night events and two shows on Saturday.

Loy said the ability to combine the events this year won't be certain until he is sure he can get sponsors.

Like Libertyfest, the air show will be free to the public.

Loy doesn't yet know who might perform. "It won't be anything like the shows we do at the airport," he said.

Certain parts of the usual air show can't be presented downtown, such as jet-powered trucks and static airplane displays.

Loy assumes the military will participate. Finding a place for the Golden Knights Army parachute team to land downtown is one obstacle the organizers are trying to overcome.

Combining the two events will introduce some new people to air show activities, Loy said. "If we go back to the airport they'll have a better idea of what to expect.

"It will be a fun event if we can make it happen."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137