Cape Girardeau businessman Pete Poe thought it was a shame that a city the size of Cape Girardeau didn't have a community-wide fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July. So he did something about it.

Poe made a few phone calls and found he wasn't alone in his concern.

Thanks to the efforts of Poe, the Joint Veterans Council and many area businesses, a fireworks display will be held at 9:30 p.m. July 4 in Arena Park.

Admission is free, and people are asked to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the fireworks.

"When you talk about the Fourth of July, a fireworks display is just something that has to be done," Poe said. "There are plenty of backyard fireworks, but we are going to have a big one."

Poe initially contacted local veterans Larry McLain, Tom Giles and Roy Rhodes.

"They shared the same interest," he said. "We had a meeting and explored the possibilities. We decided to do it. We felt there was enough interest we could get it done."

To hire a professional company for a 25-minute display, the group needed to raise about $5,000. Nearly all the money has been raised enough to schedule the event.

"We have had a lot of small donations, but no large corporate donations," Poe said. "Nobody has turned us down."

Poe added that additional donations still are being accepted. Interested persons may send their contribution to Pete Poe, Drury Lodge, 3624 William.

Because the group is hiring a company to put on the display, they don't need a lot of manpower.

"We don't have any other activities planned. Just the fireworks," Poe added.

But he said the group of organizers has begun talking about next year and the possibility of a larger event in Cape Girardeau.