MANY SEE PARADE: FAIR-GOERS SHUN RAINDROPS

A steady sprinkling of rain wasn't enough to keep enthusiastic onlookers from staying around for the annual SEMO District Fair parade.

The parade wound its way from Capaha Park to Arena Park, where the annual exhibition is under way.

Parents watched from lawn chairs while their children, armed with empty bags, awaited treats from the more than 72 entries participating in the parade this year. Some opened umbrellas when the drizzle threatened to become something more, but most simply eyed the sky momentarily before turning their views back to the tractors, marching bands, floats and mule teams that passed by.

People came from the Southeast Missouri region and beyond to see the parade. Marching bands from as far south as Dexter were on hand for the event, as were onlookers from near the Canadian border.

"It was a beautiful parade," said John Schwartz of Midland, Mich. He and his wife, Bev, happened upon the parade as they were driving through Cape Girardeau as part of a vacation tracing the Mississippi River. The couple said despite their unfamiliarity with the event, they were looking forward to attending the fair at Arena Park.

The Cowart family of Springfield, La., was also unfamiliar with the annual event. Ronnie and Mandy Cowart are home-schooling their two daughters as they round out an 11-month expedition throughout the Midwest this year. They learned of the parade on Saturday when they came through the area in their covered wagon pulled by an eight-mule hitch team.

"Cape's been great to us," said Ronnie Cowart as he prepared his team for the parade. "We happened to be on our way back home and we heard about this. We came and talked to the fair people about participating, and they told us it was no problem."

There were plenty of sights and sounds for fair-goers after the parade ended. Monday night's grandstand event was a demolition derby that featured a rivalry between drivers from Missouri and Illinois. Although the event was not a sell-out, fair director Pete Poe said there were many interested viewers eager to see the outcome.

Poe said participation at fair events was in line to meet or exceed last year's attendance of slightly more than 100,000. The parade was equal in size to last year's event as slightly fewer than 20,000 people attended the fair's opening day.

"That's a good strong Sunday for us," said Poe. "We'd certainly like to get at least a few more this year."

Livestock begins to arrive at the fair today. Other events scheduled include a band special for all rides on the midway and a baby contest for girls ages 3 months to 18 months.

The annual tractor pull will be the featured grandstand event. All seats are $7 for the event, which starts at 7 p.m.

SEMO DISTRICT FAIR

Baby girl contest -- 5:30 tonight at the R&R Tent

Tractor pull -- 7 tonight at the Grandstand

Circus show -- 7:30 topnight at the Big Top Tent

Livestock -- Livestock arrives today