Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson may have tapped into potentially hundreds of future transportation engineers across Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois with his "Draw the Bridge" contest.

Several boxes of entries arrived at the Southeast Missourian Jr. office by the Thursday deadline from children ages 5 to 12.

The contest was first announced in the mayor's "City Scoop" column in the youth newspaper's August edition to encourage area children to be involved in celebrating the Dec. 13 opening of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

Children were asked to submit their drawings of what they think a bridge should look like. The drawings did not have to resemble the new bridge. The crayon, marker and pencil images turned in depicted all kinds of elaborate bridges, some including street lights, colorful columns and walkways.

Knudtson said the contest was a way to get children involved with history as it relates to the new bridge.

"I'm astounded at the reaction," he said. "That just goes to show you what kind of excitement and enthusiasm there is for the bridge around here."

The mayor devised the contest with Scott Meyer, district engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation. The contest was open to children within a 60-mile radius. All entries will be displayed at city hall. The winner will be announced Nov. 8 and honored at a reception, and Knudtson and Meyer will visit the winner's classroom.

"One of the most gratifying things I get to do as mayor is go around to these classes," Knudtson said. "But I learned a long time ago that no matter how prepared you think you are for their questions or what kind of canned speech you bring, they will throw you a curve ball you're not prepared for. So I just look forward to answering their questions as best as I can."

The winning entry will also be on display at the H&H Building and can be viewed Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23.

Although the bridge's construction project manager recently cautioned area business leaders not to set all their hopes on the expected Dec. 13 completion date, several events before the opening are still on schedule:

Oct. 31: "What a Bridge Means to Me" essay contest. Call John Mehner at 335-3312.

Oct. 31: Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge song-writing event. Call Teresa Morrill at 334-7800.

Oct. 31: Photography competition and exhibition, "Highways, Waterways and Railways: Transportation along the Mississippi." Call Pat Patterson at 335-5197.

Nov. 8: Bridge building competition. Call Angie Wilson at (573) 472-6632.

Nov. 8 and 9, 15 and 16, 22 and 23: Museum exhibition, H&H Building, "Bridge to Our Past and Future." Call Kristi Nitsch at 335-0101.

Nov. 21: Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge VIP, chosen by drawing. Call John Mehner at 335-3312.

Dec. 13 (tentative): Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge dedication ceremony. Events will include a ceremony to honor those present at the dedication of the old bridge and a run, walk and bike on the River Campus grounds. Call John Mehner at 335-3312 or Angie Wilson at (573) 472-6632 for the ceremony and Matt Specht at 651-5142 about the run, walk and bike.

Detailed information and entry forms will be posted at www.modot.org/southeast/bridge.htm, www.capechamber.com and www.capegirardeaucvb.org.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160