City of Cape Girardeau What To Do in Cape: September 2023
In this post, we will highlight events going on by the City and the community for the month of July!
Friday, Sept. 1: First Friday
Every first Friday of the month, Cape celebrates the arts by putting on special events and staying open past regular hours! There are multiple events happening and many forms of art on display!
Art
- The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will unveil their 11th Annual Members Exhibition on September 1.
- Crisp Museum will feature an art exhibition by SEMO Faculty Louise Bodenheimer entitled "Hybrid".
Music
- Jason Heeter & Ghost Signals will be performing at Ebb & Flow Fermentations from 7 p.m.–10 p.m.
- At 6:30 p.m., Brian Curran will be performing for Tunes at Twilight at the City Hall Ivers Square Gazebo.
- The 4th Annual Smooth Jazz on the River Festival at Fort Defiance in Cairo, Illinois is happening on September 4 and 5. The event runs from 3 p.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday. The event will feature a classic car show, horse drawn carriage rides and VIP Experience Tent. Click here for more information!
Other
- Yoga East Healing Arts Studio will be giving a free yoga lesson to celebrate the arts from 5–6 p.m. Register Here!
Friday, Sept. 1: Feeding Frenzy - Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
Watch the Nature Center feed reptiles and amphibians while learning the importance of these animals in our ecosystem!
6–6:30 p.m.
Free, registration not required
Every Saturday All Month: Cape Riverfront Market - Old Town Cape
Old Town Cape hosts the City's downtown local Farmer's Market! Fresh produce, art, music, and local food made to order!
Located: 35 St. Spanish Street Parking Lot
8 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2: Fall Local Author Fair - Cape Girardeau Public Library
Come meet local public authors of Cape! The Author Fair will feature local authors, an author panel on the writing process, and a panel Q&A session. The authors write a variety of books for kids, teens, and adults. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided and door prizes awarded. Registration is appreciated, but not required.
Located: Hirsch Community Room
1–3 p.m.
Free
Register Here!
Saturday, Sept. 2 - Monday Sept. 4: Friends of Fort D Weekend
In the fall of 1861 soldiers and civilians were laboring to complete Fort D. 162 years later the fort will be busy once again. Join local Civil War reenactors in a variety of activities appropriate for families. Activities will include infantry and artillery drills, knapsack packing, tent set up, children’s games, and a fact hunt.
New recruits and the public are welcome! Admission is free.
9 a.m.–3 p.m. every day
Tuesday, Sept. 5: Trumpet Call - River Campus
Deborah Caldwell and Matt Yount present a collection of trumpet classics and some lesser known works by well-known composers.
Located: Shuck Recital Hall
7:30 p.m.
$10, $5 for Students
Get Tickets Here!
Every Thursday All Month: Cape Farmer's Market
Come to the farmer's market at the Mall! Find the freshest local produce and food made to order!
Located: West Park Mall Parking Lot: Mount Auburn Rd Entrance
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 7: Paint Night - BFF Date Night - Crisp Museum
Participants will follow step by step instructions to complete their artwork with guidance by Ellen Flentge. All supplies are provided.
6 p.m.
$10, Free for university students
Register Here!
Thursday, Sept. 7 - Sunday Sept. 10: Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Stock up on gently used books and more at the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale at the Cape Girardeau Public Library!
9/7: Friends of the Library Members Only 6–8 p.m.
9/8: 6–8 p.m.
9/9: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
9/10: 1–5 p.m.
Friday, Sep. 8: Tunes at Twilight with Mean Mary - Old Town Cape
Come join us for the final First Friday concert of the season with music by Mean Mary!
Located: City Hall Ivers Square Gazebo
6:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 8: US Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team
On September 8th, 2023 the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team will be jumping into Houck Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
The Demonstration team consists of 26 members committed to supporting Army recruitment efforts. They travel the country and perform for large audiences across the country at festivals, air shows, and sporting events.
7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 8 & Saturday, Sept. 9: Saint Francis Healthcare Dig for Life Challenge
The Saint Francis Healthcare Dig for Life Challenge is a high school volleyball tournament that raises money to provide mammograms to local women who otherwise could not afford this important screening. Since its beginning in 2000, Dig for Life has given nearly 6,000 free mammograms to women in the Southeast Missouri region. Come watch some volleyball for a good cause!
4 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. on Saturday
Click here for more information!
Saturday, Sept. 9: Spectacular Sunfish Paper Mache - Cape Nature Center
In this activity, participants will listen to a short program about the different sunfish species in southeast Missouri and create their very own paper mache model of one of these spectacular species.
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Free, registration required
Register Here!
Saturday, Sept. 9 & Sunday, Sept. 10: Paracord Bracelet - Crisp Museum
Participants will make a two-toned bracelet with a clasp by following knot tying patterns using paracord.
1–4 p.m.
Free
Register Here!
Saturday, Sept. 9 - 16: SEMO District Fair
Cape Girardeau's famous 168 year old fair is here! Whether you’re coming for the food, the live entertainment, the agricultural exhibits, or the classic midway experience, the SEMO District Fair offers fun and adventure for the whole family. Click Here for the schedule of events!
Saturday, Sept. 9: SEMO Football Home Game vs. Lindenwood
Come see the first home game of the season! Arrive early to participate in tailgating located on Bellevue street in front of the stadium!
Located: Houck Stadium
6–9 p.m.
$17.50–$30.75
Order Tickets Here!
Sunday, Sept. 10: An Afternoon of Song - River Campus
An afternoon of song with Dr. Leslie Jones, contralto and Dr. Barb Lamont, piano. Located: Shuck Recital Hall
$10, $5 for students
Get Tickets Here!
Monday, Sept. 12: Adult Coloring - Cape Girardeau Public Library
Join us for a casual adult coloring session where we provide the pages, colored pencils, and a fun atmosphere to color and socialize.
Located: Praxair Program Room
1–3 p.m.
Free, Registration Not Required
Tuesday, Sept. 12: Motorcycle Cannonball
Motorcycle Cannonball, the antique motorcycle marathon across the United States, is making a stop in Cape Girardeau! To celebrate, there will be a motorcycle show, a car show, live music, cannonball merchandise and 2 food trucks!
Located: Big Sandy's Furniture Parking Lot
3–7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16: Day on the River - Cape Nature Center
Discover what the river has to offer you! Hands-on activities will teach you the importance of the Mississippi River and surrounding wetlands. This event is fun for the entire family featuring live river animals and free boat rides on the Mississippi with Missouri Department of Conservation river scientists. Boat rides are first come, first serve, and will take place between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This event is located at Riverfront Park depending on river levels.
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16: Electric Vehicle Car Show & Parade
All attendees with electric vehicles will be encouraged to “shine up and show off” for the events. The car show is open to the public and is a great way to educate people about electric vehicles. Directly after the car show, all participants will cruise the streets in a parade.
Located: EVTV Motor Verks
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17: Family Weekend
In September, SEMO designates a weekend for parents to come to campus and experience a full schedule of activities with their students. The jam-packed weekend in September offers something for everyone with fun-filled, family-oriented events culminating with a Redhawk football game. There will be activities at Kent Library and the Charles L. Hutson Greenhouse, a family picnic with the Vargases, and of course football! There are also fun events happening in the community!
For more information, click here!
Sunday, Sept. 17: Symphony Sampler - River Campus
A light-hearted introduction to the symphony, featuring student musicians from the symphony in a variety of chamber ensembles. Admission is free!
Located: River Campus Cultural Arts Center
3 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 18: One Pot Wonders Healthy Cooking Class - Southeast Health
Whether it is a soup, stew or casserole, we love the ease that a whole meal in one dish provides. Warm, hearty and now healthy. Check out the recipes SoutheastHEALTH will be putting together that can work for any family.
Located: Healthpoint Fitness Cape Girardeau
6–7:15 p.m.
$5
Register Here!
Monday, Sept. 18 - Tuesday Sept. 19: Womens Introduction to Handguns - Cape Nature Center
This program includes handgun safety, operation, shooting fundamentals, maintenance, and safe storage. Equipment and ammunition will be provided.
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Free, registration required
Register Here!
Wednesday, Sept. 20 & 27: Gentle Yoga - Cape Public Library
Join us for an hour of gentle yoga. Please bring your own yoga mat or bath towel, as well as a yoga block for your practice.
Located: Cape Girardeau Public Library Hirsch Community Room
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Free, Registration Required
Register Here!
Wednesday, Sept. 20: Yoga at the Nature Center
Come for an evening of yoga at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center! Class will take place indoors with suggestions to further your nature time after class. This program is beginner friendly and mats are provided.
6–7 p.m.
Free, registration required
Register Here!
Wednesday, Sept. 20: Wine Down Wednesday - Board and Brush
Create your own antique wood sign and enjoy a free glass of wine!
6–9 p.m.
$73
Register Here!
Friday, Sept. 22 - Sunday Sept. 24: Show Me Gun and Knife Show
Show vendors will be looking to buy, sell and trade. The show will also boast over 450 tables filled with a variety of items for you to browse!
$10
Event Details Here!
Friday, Sept. 22: Gather 'Round Ye Olde Campfire - Cape Nature Center
To welcome the first day of autumn, the Cape Girardeau Nature Center is lighting a campfire and inviting you to join us. Grab your family and gather ‘round as we read aloud nature-themed picture books, present a short program, and sing campfire songs at the nature center firepit. The nature center will provide refreshments.
7–8 p.m.
Free, no registration required
Friday, Sept. 22 - Saturday Sept. 23: Shipyard Music Festival
Shipyard Music Festival returns to Downtown Cape Girardeau to celebrate the magic of food and cheer and song. With both local and nationally renowned acts, food trucks and drinks, you are sure to find something you like. This is one of Cape Girardeau's most exciting events, you don't want to miss it!
Located: Century Casino Grounds
To view the lineup and get tickets, Click Here!
Saturday, Sept. 23: Babes in the Woods - Squirrelly Squirrels - Cape Nature Center
Scurry on over with your squirrelly little ones and discover the life of Missouri’s tree squirrels. We will experience why squirrels stay so busy, explore their wild habitat, and make them a take-home treat.
Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.
9:30–10:00 a.m. and 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Free, registration required
Register Here!
Saturday, Sept. 23: Come Hunt the Ice Age Bison - Cape Nature Center
The atlatl, also known as a spear thrower, is a tool used around the world since prehistory. Pre-dating the bow and arrow by tens of thousands of years, this tool, in the hands of the Aztecs, could penetrate even Spanish armor! Come to the front lawn of the Nature Center to give it a try. You may even need to help hunt the mighty ice age bison, a long extinct ancestor of the bison today! This program does not require registration. During this open time slot participants can come and go as they please.
2–4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24: Women's Soccer vs. Eastern Illinois - SEMO
It's game day! Come to Houck Field for Meg Herndon Day as our SEMO Women's Soccer team takes on Eastern Illinois. Mid America Transplant will be participating in a T-shirt Giveaway. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.
Located: Houck Field
Sunday, Sept. 24: Touch a Truck - Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation
Join us at Shawnee Park for this FREE & FUN family event for kids of all ages! Explore trucks, tractors, machines and more at this event!
Located: Shawnee Park Center
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Oct. 1: Head Over Heels - River Campus
Come enjoy this Jukebox Musical featuring music by the Go-Go's!
Located: Bedell Performance Hall
7:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. on Sunday
$25, $5 for students
Get Tickets Here!
Thursday, Sept. 28: Koe Wetzel at the Show Me Center
Genre-bending artist Koe Wetzel has added fall dates to his ‘Road to Hell Paso’ North American headline tour. Presented by Monster Energy, the newly announced 22-date includes a stop at the Show Me Center!
$59–$79, VIP options extra, +$10 parking
More info and tickets here!
Friday, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 1: Cape Comic Con
Cape Comic Con features three exciting days of pop culture icons, professional and independent artists and authors, panels, events, cosplay, amazing vendors, and dozens of tables of merchandise for fans to enjoy.
Located: Drury Conference Center
For the schedule and tickets, click here!
Saturday, Sept. 30: Native Plant Sale - Cape Nature Center
Missouri Wildflowers Nursey will be selling a variety of native perennials at Cape Girardeau Nature Center. Peruse the plants and get expert advice all in one simple shopping trip. Your neighborhood bees and butterflies will thank you!
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30: SEMO Athletics Trivia Night and Auction
This is a trivia night to raise money for SEMO's student athletes! A night of food, drinks, and fun!
$50 per person
Register Here!
There is never a boring day in Cape Girardeau!