Wet weather doesn't deter East Perry fair visitors

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Despite drizzly weather, thousands of people turned out Saturday for the East Perry Community Fair.

Mike Engert, the fair's publicity co-chairman, said although it's difficult to get precise numbers on attendance, the fair has seen around 18,000 to 20,000 people each year, and this one was no different.

"People came out last night," he said. "This was a good Friday night."

This year differed from previous fairs in that the musical entertainment, Pearl River Band, was Friday night and the antique-tractor pull was Saturday night, which was opposite the norm.

Livestock, always a big part of the fair, was the reason many people such as Verla Mangels and her family came out.

"We've been coming [to the East Perry Community Fair] since my husband was in his 4-H days." she said.

He used to show his animals at the fair decades ago, but now Mangels watches her grandchildren showing their Belgian horses.

"That's what they do," she said, explaining some of the work that goes into raising an animal for show.

"We've went to 15 of them this year so far," she said.

Others, however, came to the fair to show off their wares and craftsmanship.

Vendor Jeff Mayfield sold honey and demonstrated traditional broom-making techniques on a reproduction of an antique machine.

"We've been doing this for about three years now," he said, adding aside from specialized broom-making expos, fairs are one of the ways he meets other craftsmen.

But aside from the annual mule-jumping competition Saturday evening, arguably the most popular attraction at any fair is the selection of food.

Fairgoer Roger Errin said his favorite food this year is the cheese sandwich.

"It changes, you know? Normally, you try to avoid stuff like this," he said, pointing to his grilled cheese. "But you look forward to being able to really go for it. And I know I'm not the only one."

Fair secretary Greg Krauss said sales figures indicate many people are indulging their fair food cravings.

"We went through 500 pounds of hamburger last night," he said. "Four hundred pounds of cheese."

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

Altenburg, Mo.