EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Red House Interpretive Center

DATE:  December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:   Located - 128 South Main Street (in historic downtown). The Interpretive Center welcomes visitors of all ages from all over the country and abroad.  Trained, well informed docents in period dress welcome guests to the Red House and tell the stories of the Red House construction, furnishings, historical gardens, and 250’ mural of the Mississippi as it appeared to Lewis and Clark in 1803!  The nationally recognized Red House Interpretive Center, part of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, was a project of the Cape Girardeau Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission in 2003.  The Red House Interpretive Center commemorates the visit of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in November 1803. Louis Lorimier, Cape Girardeau's founder, welcomed Meriwether Lewis at his home - the Red House.  The Interpretive Center houses an early 1800's exhibit which reflects the lives of the early settlers of the "Old Cape Girardeau District."   In addition, a re-production of the Louis Lorimier Trading Post displays authentic items which would have been sold during the early 1800's.   Open April - November on Saturdays from 10am - 4pm.  Off-season group tours can be scheduled by calling the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-0068.  For more information visit website.

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Old St. Vincent's Church

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Location - 131 South Main Street (in historic downtown).  Built in 1853, Old St. Vincent’s Church, is right across the street from the Red House Interpretive Center.  Simply stated Old St. Vincent’s is beautiful.  The architecture, English Gothic Revival, is breathtaking and rare.  Very few churches of this style exist in America. One unusual feature is the over 100 medieval design plaster masks portraying characters from the Miracle and Mystery plays.  The pews are original as are the altars.  The communion rail with its unusual wrought iron design, windows, frames and casings all date back to the 1850’s.  The massive 3 ¼ inch thick doors are hand-carved. Open May-December, Saturdays, 12 noon - 4:00pm.  Off season group tours can be scheduled by calling the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-0068.  For more information, visit website.

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  The Glenn House

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Location - 325 South Spanish Street (in historic downtown). The Glenn House is on the National Register of Historic Places and provides visitors with a wonderful walk back in time. Restored rooms depict life in the late 1800's, reflecting life in an earlier society.  In 1883, Edwin Branch Deane designed the Glenn House for his daughter, Lulu, and her husband, David Glenn.  Mr. and Mrs. Glenn occupied the home with their family until 1915.  Open May-October, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.  Off season group tours can be scheduled by calling the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-0068.  For more information visit website.

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Cape River Heritage Museum

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Location - 538 Independence Street.  Cape River Heritage Museum is located in an old police and fire station, dating back to 1908. This museum features a number of fascinating permanent exhibits, including a display on the Missouri State Flag, which was designed and created in Cape Girardeau, a "hands on" area regarding life on the Mississippi River, popular with children, and an exhibit focusing on police and fire history which includes a full size working fire engine.  There are also two special exhibits.  One features the work of inspirational author Jean Bell Mosley. Over the course of fifty plus years, Mrs. Mosley wrote 5 books and was published in 81 magazines and 17 newspapers. The other special exhibit, "The Great Depression", is a collection of depression era memorabilia.    Open mid March to mid December on Thursday and Friday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm and Saturday from 11:00am - 3:00pm.   Off season group tours can be scheduled by calling the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-0068.  For more information, call 800-777-0068 or www.visitcape.com.

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Historic Fort D

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  In the summer of 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, four forts were built around the strategic city of Cape Girardeau on the orders of General John Frèmont. Designed by German-American engineers from St. Louis, the forts were built by soldiers of the 20th Illinois Infantry, Bissell's Engineers of the West and local militia under the direction of Illinois Lt. John Wesley Powell, who would later gain fame as the explorer of the Grand Canyon, was detached from his regiment by the new general, Ulysses S. Grant, in order to raise a local company to man the forts.  This Powell did, and his new Battery F served the forts until leaving for the Battle of Shiloh.  Fort D featured as many as five cannons, the largest of which could fire a 32-pound cannon ball.  The fort was manned throughout the Civil War. Of the four earthen forts only Fort D still exists, an intact survivor thanks to civic action in the 1930's.  Today owned by the city, Fort D is located 4 blocks south of the intersection of Missouri Rte. 74 and Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau, just west of the Mississippi River Bridge.  The fort grounds, featuring interpretive signage are open free to the public dawn to dusk. For more information or to schedule group tours call the Convention and Visitors Bureau 1-800-777-0068. 

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Trail of Tears State Park

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  The tragic history that gives Trail of Tears State Park its name provides a sharp contrast to the peaceful, serene setting and the abundance of recreational opportunities enjoyed by visitors today. The 3,415-acre park is a memorial to the Cherokee Indians that lost their lives in a forced relocation, as well as a place for visitors to participate in a variety of outdoor adventures.

Today, numerous picnic sites are scattered throughout the park and campsites are available in a wooded area and near the river. Anglers can cast their lines in either the Mississippi River or the 20-acre Lake Boutin, stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. The park’s numerous trails offer opportunities for hiking, backpacking, primitive camping and equestrian pursuits. In winter, the bluffs and cliffs along the river are noted as roosting sites for bald eagles.  For more information visit www.mostateparks.com/trailoftears

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Bollinger County Museum of Natural History

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Marble Hill, MO - Bollinger County

DESCRIPTION:  Our museum features natural history exhibits from all over the world and showcases the bones from the Missouri dinosaur being dug at the Chronister site in Glen Allen. See  
the life-sized replica of the only dinosaur found in Missouri.  Civil War items, Native American artifacts, crystal radios and Lewis and clark memorabilia will tempt the history buffs.  The expanded children's room teaches in a fun way and lots of other exhibits make your visit a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.  Regular hours are Thurs - Sat. noon to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.  Admission is $2 over 18 and $1 under 18.  For more information call 573-238-1174 or 2713. 

EVENT/ATTRACTION: The Conservation Nature Center

DATE: December

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  The Conservation Nature Center is located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park and showcases the rich cultural history and diverse natural resources of Southeast Missouri.  Open Tuesday through Saturday 8am - 5pm.

Campus Features

• The nature center features a 160-seat auditorium, three classrooms, hands-on exhibits for all ages, a scientific research laboratory, freshwater aquariums, and an indoor wildlife viewing area.
• The “White Oak Trace” features two miles of nature trails allowing visitors to traverse rolling river hills with sinkholes, deep hollows, and ravines covered with prominent stands of poplar and oak.
• Native plants featured in the nature center’s landscape provide habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife species.
• The nature center’s gift shop features a wide variety of educational books, videos, and nature-related items.

For schedule of events visit website or call 573-290-5218. 

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  Cape River Heritage Museum

DATE: December 3

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Location - 538 Independence Street.  Wine and Cheese reception honoring The Writers Workshop Groups with booklet signing and readings - 5pm-7pm.

EVENT/ATTRACTION:  The Symphony will perform Schubert’s famous “Unfinished Symphony,”

DATE: December 7

CITY/COUNTY:  Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Location at the River Campus.  The Symphony will perform Schubert’s famous “Unfinished Symphony,” a masterpiece of beautiful, lyrical symphonic music, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. This concert will also feature the Symphony Orchestra with the University Choir and Choral Union in Mozart’s engaging choral work, the “Coronation Mass,” conducted by Dr. Steve Hendricks.  To view a diagram of the Bedell Performance Hall, visit www.semo.edu/rivercampus/tickets/seatinginfo.htm.

Tickets for individual events will go on sale Wednesday, July 14, through the River Campus Box Office, all MetroTix outlets, (www.metrotix.com), or by calling MetroTix at (800) 293-5949. Special orders for handicapped, group sales or adjustments to existing orders will be handled only by the River Campus Box Office. To view a calendar of events for the upcoming season, visit http://www.semo.edu/rivercampus/events/index.htm.  Phone 573-651-2265.

EVENT/ATTRACTION: Contra Dance -

DATE: December 11

CITY/COUNTY:  Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Featuring - Banjovi.  Skip the Gym,.....and   

 Tighten your Tube, Advance your Acceptance, Burnish your Balance, Lose your Love Handles, Activate your Agility, Identify with Inclusiveness, Enhance your Endorphins, Fortify your Friendships, Cut your Cholesterol, Slim your Stomach, Muscle-Up your Musicality, Loosen-Up your Laugh, Connect with Community, Lighten your Load, Limber your Legs, Tap your Toes, Waste your Waist, Love to Love, Bedazzle the Banjo, Amp-up your Athleticism, Elevate your Esteem, Fight your Fat, Meet a Man, Develop your Digestion, Trim your Tummy, Lower your LDL, Help your HDL, Find a Friend, Buff your Beer Belly, Appreciate your Attitude, Find your Fitness, Trim your Tire, Energize your Energy, Woo a Woman, Tune-Up your Tone, Bond with the Band, Feel the Friendliness, Fire-Up the Fiddle, Deflate your Deposits, Laugh a Lot, Sculpt your Stomach, Strip-Away your Stress, Diminish Depression, Do the Do-Si-Do, Strengthen your Smile, Free your Frivolity, Help the Happy, and Battle the Bulge. Guaranteed to Burn Calories – Lots of em!   7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.  (Free Beginner’s Lessons: 6:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)  Christ Episcopal Church, 101 N. Fountain Street, Cape Girardeau, MO.  

EVENT/ATTRACTION: Native American Women Past, Present and Future

DATE: December 12

CITY/COUNTY: Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau County

DESCRIPTION:  Location is the Cape River Heritage Museum.  Back by popular demand! Chief Paul White Eagle will be leading a discussion each month at the Cape River Heritage Museum.   The programs will include the role of Native American Women Past, Present and Future.  You will have the opportunity to interact with the group, see many artifacts and items related to their everyday life. Programs start at 11am.  For more information, call  573 -334- 0405.