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 The East Prairie Downtown Revitalization Committee is comprised of local volunteers working together to help beautify and revitalize the downtown area. The group, a not for profit organization, has been active since 2002. Donna Smith is the current chairperson.
DRT's main goal is to help create and provide an attractive downtown area that will attract shoppers, visitors and community members to the heart of East Prairie. DTR wants to make a positive difference for the whole community.
The group's financial resources are derived from memorial donations, contributions and various fund raising activities and events. One of the year-round fund raising activities is the sale of miniature village pieces of past and present sites in East Prairie.
Anyone wishing to know more about the organization, wanting to purchase a
miniature village piece or wanting to make a contribution to the organization
may call City Hall at 573-649-3057 or email
City Administrator.
One of DTR's main fund raisers is the East Prairie Main Street Party. DRT sponsors the event each year on Friday night of the last full weekend in June. The one-night celebration officially opens the community's Sweetcorn Festival and preempts the next day's Tour de Corn cycling event.
 Projects accomplished by DRT include the paving and landscaping of the larger downtown parking lot,
renovation of the Mary Moore Gazebo on Main Street, and tree plantings along Washington Avenue.
Another completed project is creation of a park at the site of the old City Hall on East Main. In fall 2007, DTR planted trees in the City Hall Memorial Park area creating a park-like setting. Picnic tables were added, and a fountain was obtained through donations given in memory of Kathie Simpkins, former City Administrator.
Other recent projects include improvements to the East Main parking lot and the completion of a garden area at the caboose in the fall of 2008.
 After
five years of planning, another project of Downtown Revitalization was
accomplished in late summer 2009.
A colorful mural was added to the old Dime Store
wall at the corner of Main and Washington. The
mural, by artist Craig Thomas of Cape Girardeau,
highlights activities and special events in East
Prairie including Country Christmas, EPHS
Homecoming, Fourth of July, Sweetcorn Festival
and Tour de Corn.
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