21_st Annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive

April 23-24th, 2011 Scenic Drive

The rural communities of Southeast Missouri invite you to join them as they celebrate spring with good food, festivals, folk music, dancing, crafts, living history events, camping, scenic vistas and lots more. The Annual Scenic Drive will be held April 22nd and 23rd . Once you've experienced what makes our region special, we believe you'll want to visit us again. You can expect to see dogwoods, azaleas, antiques, quilts, and a route lined with crafts, good food, and friendly people.

In Marble Hill, visit The Cat Ranch Art Guild Art/Craft Show. The Art Guild was formed in memory of Tom Runnels, area artist, sculptor and writer. Visit Tom's cabin studio, gravesite, view his artwork. See the 16 ft. steel horse and rider. Runnels' prints and books are for sale. Area artists will be displaying arts and crafts. Art demonstrations will be given on the premises. Guild member Chief Paul White Eagle and his AhNiYvWiYa (Cherokee) Tribe will have paintings, baskets, pottery, flutes, weaving and other assorted native art at The Cat Ranch that weekend. Free admission. On Saturday, April 28th the times will be from 10AM-4PM and Sunday, April 29th the times are 11AM-4PM. Signs will direct you to The Cat Ranch once you enter Marble Hill.

While in Marble Hill visit the Wicecarver Store. This is one of Marble Hill's oldest business buildings, located across from Bollinger County Courthouse. It was built in1893 of local handmade bricks. Original iron storefront and rock step from horse and buggy days still in place. Presbyterian Church of Bollinger County will be sponsoring displays and items for sale during the Drive. Check out the homemade quilts. Times for this event are 8:30AM-5PM on Saturday and Noon-4PM on Sunday.

Don't forget to visit the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History. Dinosaur Fossils Exhibit and Historical Items are of interest. Call for events and activities at 573-238-1174. Museum will be open from 9AM-5PM on Saturday and Noon-5PM on Sunday.

The Massey Log House built in 1869 will be open along with a one-room schoolhouse. Located close to Wicecarvers Store. They are open from 9AM-5PM on Saturday and 10AM-5PM on Sunday.

For your dining pleasure, try out Jay's Bar-B-Q, Shorty's Chuckwagon, Jer's Restaurant, Marble Hill Senior Citizens Dumpling Dinner. Good food with the family in mind.

For information on other areas activities of the drive call the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau at (573) 335-1631 or (800) 777-0068. Some other areas are: Altenburg, Brazeau, Burfordville, Cape Girardeau, Commerce, Frohna, Jackson, Leopold, Oak Ridge, Old Appleton and Pocahontas. Brochures can be attained with maps for the whole 150-mile drive.