The Southeast Missouri District Fair, which began in 1855, has always offered excitement and fun.

This year the fair committee, whose president is Pete Poe, engaged an eight-camel hitch from the 5-H Ranch for the Fair parade and for viewing at the Fair. Cape Girardeau is one of the first cities to have the novel attraction, which is fast gaining national attention.

The camels will walk in the parade that starts at Capaha Park on Monday at 5:30 p.m.. The parade will go west on Broadway to Capaha Park for the formal opening of the Fair.

Lively band music, decorated floats and much more will give the parade pep and zest to start the 137th District Fair. The prologue will insure a successful week of merrymaking for visitors and anticipation by exhibitors whose entries will be judged in competition for prizes and money awards.

Livestock will be brought to the Fair on Tuesday, judged, and assigned a space at the fairgrounds. Usually they are attended by their owners.

Girl babies are in a contest scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and boy babies will be judged at the same time on Wednesday. The baby contests are popular, and because so many babies were entered last year the contest was divided this year so the babies would not get too tired.

Carnival ride tickets are specially priced at $10 for Tuesday from 5-11 p.m. Four-H demonstrations are from 6-7 p.m. and the Great Tractor Pull will be in front of the Grandstand at 7 p.m. Get a ticket early; they are in great demand.

Sept. 16 is loaded with activities beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m., when the Big Bull Chuteout starts at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Grandstand. Tickets should be purchased in advance. Contests are always a big event at the Fair, and one that attracts a crowd is the Old Fiddler's Contest. It will start at 2 p.m. If the fiddle is your forte, enter. It is fun. There are money prizes.

Musical entertainment begins Thursday at the grandstand with a performance by Neal McCoy at 7:30 p.m.

The program for Friday has such exciting attractions as St. Francis activities for The "Younger Set" from 1-4:30 p.m.; the 4-H and FFA Tractor Rodeo at noon, which is Free and at the Grandstand; and a Nintendo Contest at 2 p.m. An "Ag Spys" contest livens things from 2-5 p.m. and Crossroads Band and Little Ole Opry will put on a show from 5-7 p.m. Pirates of the Mississippi perform at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Grandstand. Tickets are required.

Saturday is the champion of days with things to do and see. Come early and eat at the Fair. There is good food at the many stands. Spend the day and relax so you can enjoy all the events. There is a smile contest at 12:30 p.m. for children ages 4-12. A smile goes a long ways to make life easier for all of us. This is a contest youths will want to enter.

The Billy Dean Show at 7: 30 p.m. Saturday at the Grandstand is something you will remember for years. Get tickets early.

There is so much to do and see. Be sure a catalog is in your purse or pocket so you can keep posted on events. It will be easy to miss something.

The committee for the 1992 Fair worked many hours planning the events for the week and the program has never been more entertaining.

In 1855, when the Fair was started by Col. George Thilenius and Col. Robert Sturdivant, they planned it as an agricultural show to assist farmers and cattlemen. The Fair wasn't as entertaining as it is today. The years have brought changes. More people come from the surrounding states to enjoy the programs, contests, and exhibits.

This year's Family Fair is sponsored by: Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Southeast Missouri, Cybertel Cellular Phones, Farrow Amusement Co. Inc., KBSI-TV, Schaper's IGA and Save-A-Lot, the Southeast Missourian and Concord Publishing, and Zimmer Broadcasting.

All revenue taken in at the District Fair is used the next year for prizes, after the bills are paid.

It will be a wonderful District Fair for you to enjoy.