The event is a weekend long excursion that typically lasts two days, but due to the 25th anniversary this year it’s been extended to three days starting today Friday April 24th and ending on Sunday April 26th.
The counties of Southeast Missouri that participate in the event are Cape Girardeau, Scott, Perry, and Bollinger county.
According to the coordinator of the event Estelle Woods, the event is a way to celebrate Spring and to appreciate everything that Southeast Missouri has to offer.
“It’s to bring back the appreciation of our whole Southeast Missouri area. The historical sights, the fun sights, the bakeries, we have antique shops, we have wineries, we have churches. Something for everybody. And it’s just a family outing, we hope, where they can get out and re-appreciate all the things that Southeast Missouri has to offer.”
Woods says the event has an educational aspect to it as well.
“Everywhere you go there will be people demonstrating and explaining what they’re doing. It’s a lot of historical information about each town and the areas because we’ve got museums in each one, so there’s always something of educational value. And sometimes it’s more interesting to see it for yourself and feel it and hear it as to read it in a book.”
Woods says this event has a very personal and down to Earth feel to it.
“This is just a down to Earth, personal tour where you really get to meet the people that own the properties and are participating. Some of the old crafts are exhibited, there’s music, there’s food and just down right home entertainment.”
The event hosts many different activities that include live music, historical sights, places to eat, and much more. Woods says something that is special about the event is that there isn’t a timeline people have to follow. Participants can choose where, when, and what they want to do on their own terms.
“You go where you want, spend as much time as you want there, and there’s no time frames, there’s no time limits. You just travel at your own speed and take as much time as you like.”
Woods says flowers will be playing a role in the event as well, specifically the flowers at the Pinecrest Azalea Farm.
“Flowers to buy, to take home and just flowers to admire. The Pinecrest Azalea Farm is open, if anyone hasn't been there, that’s a go-to place. There’s 32 acres of flowers and 500,000 Azalea plants, it’s incredible. It's like a painting in real life. It’s a drive through, you can drive through the whole area and admire the plants, stop and take pictures, and there’s a walking area if you want to walk, too."
The key to navigating the event is to pick up a brochure which includes a map and a list of places and activities accompanied by a description of each and the times and dates each take place.
Woods says costs will vary depending on the activity, however most places do not charge an admission fee.