DISTRICT FAIR CELEBRATES FARMS, FAMILY, GOOD WILL

While other fairs across the country have been forced to scale back, the SEMO District Fair has expanded its 137th annual edition. For the first time, festivities will begin on Saturday. The carnival midway will also open for business tomorrow. No admission or parking fees will be charged on Saturday or Sunday, the traditional sneak-a-peek day. A parade will mark the official fair opening Monday night, led by the only dromedary hitch in North America.

The fair is more than tempting treats or whirling carnival rides. It is an integral part of our community's heritage. Despite a changing facade over the years, its foundation remains firmly rooted in a celebration of agriculture. Animal and crop exhibits give city folks a chance to sample life down on the farm.

The fair is also a celebration of good will. About 50 volunteers give more than 20,000 hours to ensure a successful festival. Profits are poured back into Arena Park improvements. The fair board has provided about $87,000 for lighting and other park improvements over the last five years alone. National Guardsmen also did their part to improve access to the fair this year. They erected a temporary 80-foot pedestrian bridge over Cape LaCroix Creek this week to replace a wooden bridge damaged by flash flooding several years ago. Local Boy Scouts helped upgrade the grandstand seating.

In this political season, the fair will no doubt be a prime place for stumping. The candidates will range from the local level on up. Even Barbara Bush has made tentative plans to visit the fair on Wednesday.

Considered the state's oldest fair, it typically draws more than 80,000 people throughout the region. That's a far cry from the 1,855 people who came in wagons, by horseback and riverboat that first year. The fair has changed with the times, but has remembered what's important: a well-rounded celebration that the whole family can enjoy. There are many special activities for children and senior citizens as well as everyone in between. Yearly favorites such as the tractor pull and country western singers are joined by the excitement of bull riding. One of the entertainers enjoyed the fair and its warm reception so much last year, he asked to come back. That speaks well for the district fair.

The district fair also provides a tremendous economic impact to the region during its eight-day run, involving more than 1,300 exhibitors, most of whom travel from out of the region. About 75 percent of the general attendance also live outside the immediate area. These people come to town and spend money.

The Southeast Missouri District Fair is the fourth largest outdoor event in the state. It ranks behind the St. Louis VP Fair, the Missouri State Fair and the Springfield Ozarks Fair in size. In a season of debate over family values, Cape Girardeau offers a festival filled with family fare.