FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWELFTH ANNUAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY SPRING SCENIC DRIVE SLATED FOR APRIL 27-28

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., April 12, 2002 - The rural communities of Southeast Missouri invite all visitors and residents to join them as they celebrate spring with good food, open houses, carnivals, fairs, festivals, folk music, dancing, crafts, living history demonstrations and much more during the 12th annual Mississippi Valley Spring Scenic Drive.

The main events for the spring drive, which is sponsored by the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University, will be held April 27-28, and many of the attractions are open year-round.

Throughout the two days, participants may take part in the Altenburg Historic Town tours and visit the St. Joseph Catholic Church and Shrine in Apple Creek, the village of Brazeu, Trail of Tears State Park, the Commerce Museum, the Pinecrest Azalea farm in Oak Ridge and the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History. The River Ridge Winery near Commerce will be open from 2-6 p.m. and Rocky Holler, located five miles north of Cape Girardeau on County Road 303 will be open both days. The Cat Ranch Art Guild will hold an art and craft show in Marble Hill from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 27 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 28. Other stops include the Saxon Lutheran Memorial, an 1800s farmstead and log cabin village in Frohna; Village Designs at Grandma's House, a one-of-a-kind shop located in Daisy, Mo.; and the Wicecarvers Store Bazaar located in Marble Hill.

For more information on the 2001 Spring Drive and Calendar of events, contact the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at (573) 777-0068 or the Center for Regional History at (573) 651-2555.