Fair coming soon

Families and fun go hand in hand with the SEMO District Fair. In addition to the usual animal judging and other competitions associated with a fair, families can take in an antique tractor pull opening day, Sept. 6.

Throughout the duration of the fair, at 3, 5 and 7 p.m., children and adults alike can enjoy the magic of Bob Bohm at the North Fairground and Woody's Menagerie and Wildlife Exposition at the South Fairground.

An armband will admit anyone to any ride at Lowery's Carnival every night from 5 to 10 p.m. On Sept. 12, armbands will be sold at half price for kiddie rides only. Rides will start at noon that day, and all rides will be open.

Families will, as they always do, line up on the afternoon of Sept. 8, the first Monday of the fair, for the parade to the fairgrounds. Floats, cars, bands and horses will leave Capaha Park at 5:30 p.m. for the fairgrounds.

Singers, gospel groups, and bands will perform in the evenings.

Other activities include a karaoke contest, Heartland Idol competition, antique car display, the SEMO Fair Pageant, karate demonstration, a rodeo, baby contests, a 4-H/FFA public speaking contest, kids' pedal tractor pull, quarter scramble and penny pickin' contest, washers tournament, rooster crowing contest, and a dress-up contest for style-conscious rabbits and poultry.

From hotdogs and funnel cakes, to an Elvis Tribute band, to the rock group Styx, to the smell of livestock waiting to be judged — the fair is wonderful family entertainment.

This story first appeared in seParent, the region[[OpenSingle]]s first parenting magazine. You can find free copies of sePARENT on magazine racks at area businesses or by stopping by the Southeast Missourian.