143RD SEMO FAIR OPENS TODAY

City and county officials visited Cape Girardeau's Arena Park Saturday to ensure the safety of rides and fairness of attractions at the 143th annual SEMO District Fair.

Saturday was the last workday prior to the fair's opening today. The fair opens with the 10th annual horse show, the largest in eastern Missouri. Astro Amusements will return with midway and carnival rides, and livestock exhibits and free circus performances will be held throughout the week.

The fair runs through Sept. 19.

Representatives from the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney's office visited each of the 15 game booths set up on the fair's midway Saturday. Prizes, signs and even the games were inspected to ensure each was aligned with Missouri statutes, said Dick Knaup, director of fair security. Officials must verify fair-goers will have a sporting chance at winning prizes because state law prohibits gambling, he said.

"We actually played all the games to demonstrate they are games of skill, not games of chance," said Knaup. "It may take some skill to win them, but they are winnable."

Fire inspectors also visited the fairgrounds to check each of the nearly 30 carnival rides for possible safety or fire hazards. Test runs of each ride were performed while fire inspectors checked for possible safety hazards. Inspectors also walked through enclosed structures like the House of Mirrors, because the buildings must have functional water sprinkler systems in case of fire.

"Everything's been checked out and we've got the green light to let them operate tomorrow," said Knaup.

While safety and maintenance were the watchwords on the midway, cleanliness was being emphasized at the more the 50 concession stands setting up at the fair. Workers spritzed, wiped and hosed down every wall and window on their booths to make their stands more appealing for fair-goers.

Susan Riley put a bottle of glass cleaner to good use as she shined the windows on her father's concession stand Saturday afternoon. Riley, who can't remember how many fairs she's attended over the years, said she was "raised in the business" but still enjoys the preparation and excitement.

"This is a pretty big one for us," she said as she worked her away around the mid-sized booth. "Everybody's spending today getting all cleaned up and getting stuff made up in time for opening day."

Riley said working in concessions is hard work. She wouldn't try to guess the number of snow cones and cotton candy bags she would sell before the end of the week, but knew she'd spend many hours each day preparing the syrups and other ingredients needed to make the sweet goodies.

"We'll be at it every day this week," said Riley. "There's no telling how much we'll need, but the people'll definitely keep us busy."

Country music star Willie Nelson will headline the fair's grandstand entertainment with a performance Sept. 17. Also scheduled to appear are Kenny Chesney on Sept. 15 and Lonestar with Brad Hawkins on Sept. 16.

For ticket information, call (573) 334-9250 or 1-800-455-FAIR.

TODAY'S EVENTS

11 a.m. Gate opens with free admission -- Parking $2.

Noon-6 p.m. Family Day Special on carnival rides -- bracelet day.

1 p.m. Pet parade. Pet owners show off their favorite pets

1:30 p.m. Horse show in the grand stand.

2 p.m. Good Life Gospel Sing in show tent. Free event featuring The Crabb Family and The Freemans.

3 p.m. SEMO Fair Pageant in R&R Tent.