SEMO FAIR STARTS SOON

Junior Peetz, a member of the SEMO District Fair Board, kept a watchful eye as volunteers scraped dirt and laid framework for a new concrete walkway.

The walkway, Peetz's idea, will offer better handicapped accessibility to the livestock exhibits at the fair. The walkway is inside the large Future Farmers of America building where cattle are exhibited.

Saturday was the first of several workdays to prepare for the SEMO District Fair.

The 143th annual fair runs Sept. 13 through Sept. 19 in Cape Girardeau's Arena Park.

Men with shovels and levels and hammers and saws moved throughout the building Saturday morning. About 60 people were on hand to help with the work.

"We're all volunteers," Peetz said. "I guess we've just gotta like it."

Next weekend, volunteers will work Saturday, Sunday and Monday transforming the park into the fairgrounds. Fences will go up, and tents will arrive.

"There's plenty of work," Peetz said, and volunteers are welcome on those days.

In addition to the new walkway, volunteers raised the entrance to the building. Large farm and construction equipment couldn't fit through the doorway.

High school members of FFA from Jackson, Benton and Perryville built a new sign for the building.

"Whether we're ready or not, the fair will start on Sept. 13," said FFA adviser David Wells of Jackson. "We're doing our best to be ready."

Fair board member Pete Poe board said ticket sales for grand stand events have been solid. Tickets remain for all shows.

Country music star Willie Nelson will headline the fair's grandstand entertainment with a performance Sept. 17.

Also scheduled to appear are Kenny Chesney on Sept. 15 and Lonestar with Brad Hawkins on Sept. 16.

The fair opens with the 10th annual horse show on Sept. 13. This horse show is the largest in eastern Missouri.

On Sept. 14, the fair parade will travel up Broadway from Capaha Park to the fairgrounds, beginning at 5:30 p.m. At the grandstand, the annual Demolition Derby has become a battle between Illinois and Missouri drivers.

On Sept. 15, a tractor pull will take place at the grandstand.

On Sept. 16, a truck pull, sponsored by the Bootheel Four-Wheelers Association, will be held. A portion of the money raised at the truck pull will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Astro Amusements will return with midway and carnival rides, and the free circus performances will be held throughout the week.

Attendance last year was 100,000. "The weather was perfect," Poe said. "I think we'll top that this year, if the weather holds."

For ticket information, call (573) 334-9250 or 1-800-455-FAIR.