BY THE WAY: DISTRICT FAIR GIVES GLIMPSE OF ROCKWELL

A real-life picture that frames itself into the stuff that made Norman Rockwell famous might appear before me once or twice a year. But when it happens, I know it immediately.

It happened on Monday. The landscape consisted of people gathered along Broadway and Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau patiently awaiting the parade that officially kicks off the SEMO District Fair.

There was a noticeable calm and distinction to this crowd. I was tempted to just pull my car over and savor the moment a little longer. But a busy police officer seemed to be signalling that traffic had to keep moving, so I caught the best glimpse I could and drove on.

The more I think about that scene, the more I realize what the SEMO District Fair means to this region. Dick Knaup, who is in charge of security at the fair, noted that this is one of the few fairs left in the state that doesn't rely on government money to stay alive.

Perhaps that is why people seem to appreciate it so much. Maybe that is why they work so hard to make sure there is enough money in the coffers. Fact is, they own the thing.

Owning it means you have to be more responsible for its welfare. Finding ways to ensure there will be another SEMO District Fair takes time and effort. The fair board meets once a month for the entire year to make sure nothing is missed.

This marks the 54th time the fair has taken place at Arena Park. It's the 139th time the fair has taken place in Cape Girardeau.

"It just seems like it gets bigger and bigger, but that's what everyone wants," said Knaup, who grew up looking forward to the fair the same way he anticipated Christmas or summer vacations. Like so many others who work the fair, Knaup is listed as a volunteer. But he doesn't mind working for free because he feels good about doing his part to keep this tradition alive.

Knaup calls the SEMO District Fair a community within several communities. It makes him feel good about living in small-town U.S.A.

Even the carnival workers seem to appreciate the SEMO District Fair. "Anytime you can find people who are friendly, your job is going to be a lot easier," said David Casanova, who works on the Merry-go-Round. "I'm from San Antonio, where Southern hospitality is a way of life," he said. "I just came from Chicago where people were rude to me. It hurts a little to see that, because people don't need to act like that."

Steve Maggi, who runs the Ring of Fire ride, has been plying his trade in carnivals for five years. He plans on driving a truck in a year or two. "Until then I'll just enjoy working fairs like these because it's not a bad way to make a living," said Maggi. "People around here treat me OK, and I do the same to them," added Maggi, who became attracted to the carnival while growing up in Chicago. "You can't always feel like that when you pack up and go to another town," said Maggi.

Good people and important parades have a way of finding each other. And when they do, they seem to want to come back for more of the same the next year. That's what the SEMO District Fair seems to be to me.

It's as good and constant as leaves changing color in the fall. It's the goose bumps that form at the base of your neck when you see fathers hoisting sons and daughters onto their shoulders to celebrate the pristine panorama.

Not a bad tradition to look forward to. Now I know why people like Dick Knaup don't mind giving up their vacation just to be part of it.

~Bill Heitland is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.