CACHE RIVER DAYS ON TAP AT ULLIN, ILL., THIS WEEKEND

ULLIN, Ill. -- Some events have been added to the annual Cache River Days in Ullin this weekend. The celebration is designed to acquaint visitors with nationally known Cache River.

The Cache River Wetlands, a joint venture of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy and a Citizens Committee to Save the Cache, is home to 1,000-year-old cypress trees, fresh-water shrimp, alligator gars and kingfish. The bottomland and wetlands also provide habitat for other wildlife, including geese and ducks.

Visitors to this weekend's fourth annual observance will have an opportunity for free canoe rides and unguided hikes along the Cache River area.

They also will have an opportunity to watch demonstrations and skits by the Rock Ridge Muzzel Loaders, which will perform Saturday and Sunday. It is the Muzzel Loaders first appearance at the celebration. The demonstrations, including leather working, black-powder shooting and tomahawk and knife throwing, cover 130 years of history from the 1750s to the 1860s.

Another new event will be a gun and knife show sponsored by the Ullin Fire Department. The show will be held at the fire department Saturday and Sunday.

Food, entertainment, arts and crafts and a petting zoo also will be featured. A softball tournament will be held both days featuring teams from throughout Southern Illinois.

The event will include a parade Sunday at 2 p.m. A large number of entries are expected.

Flea markets, crafts and antique sales will be held throughout the town both days.

Those wanting to take canoe rides may register starting at 10 a.m. at the Leona Brust Civic Center in the old high-school gymnasium. Vans will be available for tours, and officials from the Cache River Wetlands will guide the canoe trips.

To reach Ullin from Cape Girardeau, take Route 3 to McClure, the Grapevine Trail to Tamms, and Route 127 north to the Ullin Blacktop. Turn right to Ullin.

Ullin's Cache River Days Schedule

Saturday

6 to 9 a.m. -- Pancake breakfast, Smiles II Building.

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- Flea market, antiques and craft sales throughout town.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- Gun and knife show, fire department.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Cache River van tours, hikes, canoe tours start from Civic Center.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Rock Ridge Muzzel Loaders camp and demonstrations, ball park area.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Entertainment by musical groups.

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. -- Softball tournament, ball park.

Noon to 4 p.m. -- Caleb Bike Farm Petting Zoo.

3 p.m. -- Entertainment by Shawnee College Choir.

4 p.m. -- Shawnee College band.

6 p.m. -- Youth for Christ Christian gospel music by Unity.

Sunday

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- Gun and knife show.

9 a.m. -- Children's worship service, Biblical story of Noah will be told using animals from the Petting Zoo, Civic Center.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Flea market, antiques and craft sales.

10 a.m. to 1:30 -- Cache River van and canoe tours.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. -- Rock Ridge Muzzel Loaders camp and demonstrations.

10:30 a.m. -- Benefit chicken and dumpling dinner.

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. -- Petting zoo.

Noon to 6 p.m. -- Softball tournament.

2 p.m. -- Parade.