CHARLIE DANIELS HEADS FAIR LINE-UP

The Charlie Daniels Band headlines grandstand entertainment for the 1993 SEMO District Fair Sept. 12-18.

Fair officials unveiled plans for this year's entertainment Thursday.

The SEMO District Fair is the oldest fair in Missouri and the fourth largest in the state. The 1993 fair is the 138th edition.

Steve Engles, fair advertising chairman, said attendance at the 1992 fair topped 82,000. "We believe with the entertainment we have lined up this year we will exceed that," he said. "This is probably the best entertainment we have had in several years.

"We discovered that country rock worked a couple of years ago when we had the Kentucky Headhunters and we sold out the stadium," Engles said. "I predict we will sell out three nights this year."

Grandstand entertainment for the week includes:

Monday, Sept. 13, Demolition Derby.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, Tractor Pull.

Wednesday, Sept. 15, Big Bull Chute-Out.

Thursday, Sept. 16, Gibson-Miller Band.

Friday, Sept. 17, Charlie Daniels Band.

Saturday, Sept. 18, Collin Raye.

Last year the Big Bull Chute-Out, a bull-riding rodeo event, was introduced to the area at the fair. It's back with professional bullriders competing for $2,500 in top prize money.

The Gibson-Miller Band blends rock-'n'-roll energy with country roots. "Where There's Smoke" is Gibson-Miller's debut album.

The Charlie Daniels Band is known for their legendary hits, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," "The South's Gonna Do It Again," and "Simple Man." They will perform new music from their recently-released "America, I Believe in You" album.

Collin Raye is one of Nashville's newest stars. Raye's second album, "In This Life," follows his gold record debut, "All I Can Be." He sings ballads and rock-country, including "Love, Me" and "I Want You Bad."

Tickets go on sale Aug. 8 at 8 a.m. at the A.C. Brase Arena box office. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-455-FAIR and charging them on Visa or Mastercard.

Once again, patrons can get a first look at the fair Sunday, Sept. 12, during Sneak a Peek. Gates open at 11 a.m. with free gate admission. The Midway opens at 1 p.m. with special prices on rides. The annual horse show begins at 1 p.m.

New to the fair this year is a queen contest planned Sunday.

"Many years ago the fair had a queen contest. We are bringing that back," said fair board member Pete Poe. Contestants will compete in four age groups.

President of the fair board for 1993 is Bob Nitsch. He said lots of fair traditions will be back this year.

"We have good livestock exhibits and those are on the up trend," he said. "Farrow Amusements does such a super job and they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ferris wheel. We will have the petting zoo."

Corporate sponsors for 1993 include Schaper's IGA and Save-A-Lot, KBSI-TV, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Southeast Missouri, Southeast Missourian-Concord Printing, CyberTel Cellular, Farrow Amusement Co. and Zimmer Broadcasting.