RIVERFEST PAGEANTS NEED CONTESTANTS

Cape Girardeau's own Riverfest 1997 is just around the corner. On June 13 and 14 downtown Cape will transform into a festival with music, food, events and fireworks.

Some major events during the two-day festival are still in need of participants.

The Little Miss Riverfest Fun in the Sun Contest, the Miss Riverfest Queen Contest and the sand castle building competition are still open for registration.

Judy Brandt said the two Riverfest pageants still need contestants. "The deadline for registration has been extended until Wednesday," she said. "Those interested should contact the Riverfest office."

The first pageant, Miss Riverfest Queen contest, will be held at 5:30 p.m. on June 13 on the Main Street stage. The contest is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

This year's winner will receive a crown, trophy, flowers, dinners and a $50 savings bond. Brandt said the winners of both pageants will also receive gift certificates from local businesses.

Contestants vying for the title of Miss Riverfest will be asked to answer an interview question. There will be no talent portion of the contest. Three out-of-town judges will choose the winners. The winner will crown the next Riverfest Queen in 1998.

The Miss Riverfest Queen will also crown the winner of Saturday's Little Miss Riverfest Fun in the Sun Contest winner. Brandt said little girls ages 4 through 6 are eligible to compete.

"They will wear summer play wear," she said. "The winner of this competition will also receive gift certificates from local merchants."

Both pageant winners will make appearances during Riverfest. KGMO's air personality Dayton Stone will emcee both contest events.

This year's Riverfest sand castle building and sculpturing competition is still seeking teams of four people.

The teams will construct their own sand castles on Main Street either from 5 to 8 p.m. June 13 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. on June 14. The creations will be judged June 14.

Benita Saupe of the Cape Girardeau Riverfest Association said the sand castle contest will be fun and interesting.

"Sand will be brought to Main Street and put into adult size sand boxes," she said. Each team will have three hours to build the most creative sand sculpture.

Those who wish to register for the pageants or the sand castle contest may call, the Riverfest office at 335-1388.

Corporate sponsors for the 1997 Riverfest are Dana Corp. and Southwestern Bell-Southwestern Bell Wireless.