As a midwestern town in the heart of the U.S., Cape Girardeau celebrates all things American – Old Glory, Lady Liberty and the eagle. So the Fourth of July is a big deal here. We barbecue and wave sparklers in the backyard, but we also use Independence Day as a reason for the community to come together.

From historic to thrilling to beautiful, we’ve got the intel on the local happenings.

The big question everyone asks this time of year is “Where’s the fireworks show?” With more than 16,000 displays across the U.S., it’s the holiday’s main attraction.* In Cape, we light up the sky over Arena Park, with the first flare going up around 9:15 p.m. There’s a full ceremony first, complete with patriotic tunes from the Municipal Band and the Southeast Missourian Spirit of American Award presentation. For the best views, be at the grandstands when they open at 6 p.m. Click here for more detailed info.

Here’s something you may not know: The first Fourth of July parade was held in 1785 in Bristol, R.I.* If you enjoy history and little-known facts like that tidbit, Fort D is calling your name. During the Civil War, Cape Girardeau was the site of four forts, and only one remains today. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July Fourth, you can explore history by touring the old fort. Living history demonstrations will pay homage to what military life was like around the Battle of Cape Girardeau – complete with cannon fire. More detailed info is available here.

As the U.S. has grown since 1776, there have been 27 different versions of the American flag, with an increasing number of stars.* The Avenue of Flags at Cape County Park North lines both sides of its street with more than 450 of the most current American flags. A walk or drive through this breathtaking display of patriotism ends at a large military memorial monument representing each branch of service. It’s the perfect spot to reflect on what Independence Day means.

Or you can check out the Statue of Liberty. Of course, the original is in New York City, but Cape has an 8.5-foot replica at Freedom Corner in Capaha Park. She came here as part of the Boy Scouts’ 40^th anniversary celebration in 1950. And she’s surrounded by columns honoring nearly 250 soldiers from the Cape Girardeau area.

Keep up with all the summer events in Cape Girardeau by following our Facebook page. 

*WalletHub