Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

1980

Riverfest

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1980 Marker

Inscription.
The initial effort to develop TOURISM into an economic force began in 1978. There were very limited funds available to promote the city. From that need the idea of a river festival to raise money arose. For 21 YEARS, from 1978 to 1999, the annual celebration, called Riverfest, was held near the riverfront. Music, games, food and activities such as TURTLE RACES, craft exhibits, air and WATER SHOWS and fireworks were enjoyed by THOUSANDS of people from all over the region.
The success of Riverfest helped inspire the building of the Show Me Center, creation of the Convention & Visitors Bureau and much more.

RIVERFEST MURAL
An additional outdoor mural commemorating Riverfest is located two blocks northwest of here- and can best be viewed from North Spanish St. just off Broadway near the Courthouse steps.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1978.

Location. 37° 18.22′ N, 89° 31.074′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water Street, on the left when traveling south. Located on Missouri Wall of Fame along the Missouri River Front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Main St, Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named 1964 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 2003 (a few steps from this marker); Artists Panel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1958 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); Missouri Mule / The Wild West (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wild West (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1925 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1980 (has been replaced with this marker); 1964 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 2003 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Artists (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1958 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dwarfing the Titanic (was within shouting distance of this marker

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1980 Marker

but has been confirmed missing); 1927 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1925 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 20, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.