To get to the livestock shows, carnival games and fried candy bars at this year's SEMO District Fair, fairgoers face an age-old challenge -- finding a parking space close enough to the gates so the walk won't exhaust them.

But thanks to a new color-coding system, fair organizers say that shouldn't be a problem.

"Everyone that comes onto the fairgrounds must have a pass," said Dick Knaup, parking and public safety chairman. "We've been lax about it in previous years, but we're really getting serious this year."

Season passes for general parking are white. A yellow VIP parking pass gets fairgoers closer to the gates, inside what organizers call the Hawthorne Lot, he said. Concessionaires have two parking lots, coded orange and light blue, next to the conservation area and south of the livestock tents. In addition, a parking area is set up for the more than 100 fair volunteers. Handicapped parking is close to the gate on a firm surface, Knaup said.

"We do everything possible to keep from towing a vehicle -- that is a last resort," he said. "It has happened. The fire marshal insists our fire lanes be maintained. We've never had a major fire incident, but if it does happen, we want to be prepared and be able to get the trucks in."

More signs

Police are placing more than 300 no-parking signs today around Arena Park and along the parade route to direct motorists away from the activities, said Sgt. Jack Wimp. In the streets around the fairgrounds, the amount of signage will be expanded.

"Most of the streets are the same ones we always do, but we just extended it back a bit," he said.

Knaup is glad the police are keeping an eye on the situation.

"We want to keep traffic flowing as quickly as possible and don't want to inconvenience any of the people living in the neighborhood," he said. "We want to be good neighbors."

Eric Busby of 801 Rodney Vista hasn't seen much of a problem with people illegally parking in front of his family's house.

"Once the lots get full, then we get a lot of traffic, but we didn't have much trouble because the police drive by to make sure people aren't parking in the road," he said.

Monday's parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Capaha Park, heads west on Broadway, north on Kingshighway and ends at Arena Park. Capaha Park will be closed at 6 a.m. to all vehicles except those in the parade. Participants can be dropped off at the intersection of West End Boulevard and Normal Street.

No-parking signs will be placed at Capaha Park and along North West End Boulevard and Perry Avenue, Wimp said. Drivers will be detoured south on Perry Avenue onto New Madrid and then to either Clark or Penny avenues if they are heading west or to Henderson Avenue if they are heading east. Broadview Street will be closed from Spartech Drive to the entrance of Arena Park during the parade and for a short time afterward.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160