Expanded arena adds to fun of East Perry fair

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- John Muench of Frohna, Mo., and his grandson, Dustin Mayfield of Fruitland, both have the same favorites at the East Perry Community Fair -- the antique tractor pull and the mule-jumping contest.

Both have also been going to the fair as long as they can remember, which is about 55 years for Muench. During grade school, Muench recalls being hauled to the fair in a stock truck with the other school kids so they could march in the parade.

The East Perry Community Fair in Altenburg will be held Friday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Sept. 21, this year. Admission and parking are free.

While continuing its heritage as an old-time country fair, Perry County fair personnel also work to improve the fairgrounds to make things more convenient for both participants and spectators. After building nearly 1,000 bleacher seats for viewing the tractor pull and horse shows in 2001, the arena has since been expanded and a permanent announcing booth added.

Early this month, fair personnel had already received a record number of entries in beef cattle, chickens and rabbits, according to Earl Lorenz, president of the East Perry Community Fair Association.

Tractor pulls and a paradeThe event opens Friday morning with poultry and rabbit judging at 8 a.m. Fair highlights include the parade scheduled for 1:30 p.m., opening ceremonies at 2:30 p.m., the pedal tractor pull at 3 p.m., the antique tractor pull at 5 p.m. and the poultry "dress-up" show at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening's musical entertainment will be provided by "Brooke Burrows and the Outsiders."

Saturday morning is filled with livestock judging and livestock shows, including the horse show. The Saxony Hills Community Band will perform at noon. One of the fair's biggest attractions, the jumping mules competition, is set for 5:30 p.m.

The fair committee chose Charlie Mangels, long-time fair official and exhibitor from Oak Ridge, to serve as grand marshal in the parade this year. Making a special appearance in the parade will be "A Touch of Ear," an eight-head draft mule show and exhibition hitch from Cyril, Okla. The mule team will also be on display both days of the fair and perform in the arena on Saturday afternoon.

For more information, call 573-824-5271 weekdays or 573-824-5513 evenings.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

East Perry Community Fair scheduleFRIDAY, SEPT. 20

8 a.m. -- poultry and rabbit judging

10 a.m. -- hall exhibits judging

1:30 p.m. -- parade

2:30 p.m. -- opening ceremonies

3 p.m. -- pedal tractor pull

5 p.m. -- antique tractor pull

5:30 p.m. -- poultry "dress-up" show

6:30 p.m. -- music by "Brooke Burrows and the Outsiders"SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

9 a.m. -- 4-H and FFA steer show; River Hills Run

9:30 a.m. -- 4-H saddle horse show

10 a.m. -- beef cattle judging; 4-H and FFA barrow show; swine judging

10:30 a.m. -- 4-H draft horse show; sheep and goat judging; dairy cattle show

11 a.m. -- draft horse and mule judging; saddle horse show

Noon -- Saxony Hills Community Band concert

3:30 p.m. -- 4-H and FFA steer and barrow sale

5 p.m. -- Apple Creek-style Hee-Haw show

5:30 p.m. -- jumping mules competition

8:30 p.m. -- attendance prizes