BABIES TAKE THE STAGE AT FAIR

It was a sea of pink frills, floppy hats and lacy headbands.

Proud moms and dads and their tiny daughters crowded into the R&R tent at the SEMO District Fair Tuesday for the baby girl contest. The scene was about the same Wednesday, only with baby boys in suits or overalls.

Most of the contestants, ages 3-18 months, can't even walk across the stage on their own. Moms, and a few dads, carried them instead.

With all that cuteness floating around, it is difficult to judge one baby from another. The three judges working Tuesday said crying babies usually are out of the running right away.

"They told us to look for poise, stage presence and appropriateness of attire," said judge Mary Pensel of Cape Girardeau.

Viva Pope of Oran is a veteran of baby contest judging: She worked at last year's contest. Most parents are polite whether their baby wins or loses, Pope said, but that doesn't make picking a winner any easier.

"They are all so cute," she said. "You finally just mark down a number."

Travis Gibson was in charge of keeping his 11-month-old daughter clean and happy while his wife, Angela, operated the video camera. Little LaKoda, one of 46 girl contestants, looked radiant in her royal blue dress with white sequins.

"We already have dresses for future pageants," Travis Gibson said. "This one's still a little big on her."

He said his daughter usually seems to enjoy herself during the events and even laughs occasionally.

For Angelia Hudson of Advance baby contests have been serious business this year. The Fair contest was number 14 for the year for 11-month-old Ashtyn Kaylee, who started her career at 7 months.

"I just heard about a pageant, and everyone said they were fun," Hudson said. "Ashtyn has won seven trophies."

She agreed that all babies are cute, but attitude makes the difference between a baby who wins and a baby who loses. While Ashtyn usually is a crowd-pleaser, she sat down at the last contest and refused to participate further.

"That's what makes these contests so exciting," said her grandmother, Evelyn Bowman. "You don't know what the babies will do."

Even though her daughter already owns five pageant dresses, Hudson said she could quit doing pageants when she gets older.

For parents of sons, baby contests are about it for the pageant scene. Only girls can win scholarships and other prizes for their looks.

That is OK for Judy Gentry. Her son Michael was in the baby boy contest a couple of years ago. On Wednesday, 16-month-old Christopher, who competed last year, took the stage again. He was one of 36 contestants.

"It's a lot of work," Gentry said. "I end up having to take half a day off work to make sure they have an outfit, take a nap and eat something.

"Then it's a little disappointing if they lose, but it's still a lot of fun."

BABY CONTEST WINNERS

Winners in the SEMO District Fair Baby Girl Contest:

-- 3-to-6 months: first place, Cheyenne Caudle, daughter of Mitchell and Angela Caudle of Oran; second place, Angela Dawn Rehm, daughter of Lisa Friga and Brian Rehm of Chaffee; third place, Jade Rampley, daughter of Brent and Ginger Rampley of Benton.

-- 6-to-9 Months: first place, Morgan Sophia Todt, daughter of Vance and Tammy Todt of Oran; second place, Taylor Marie Bock, daughter of Wayne and Joyce Bock of Oak Ridge; third place, MacKenzie Taylor Gass, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gass of Jackson.

-- 9-to-12 months: first place, Melanie RaeAnn Dockins, daughter of Mel and Ruth Dockins Jr. of Cape Girardeau; second place, Jamie Darnell DeSpain, daughter of Bobby and Carol DeSpain of Patton; third place, Meredith Cook, daughter of D. Shawn and Tonda Cook of Jackson.

-- 12-to-15 months: first place, Hannah Christine Sherer, daughter of Chris and Melanie Sherer of Cape Girardeau; second place, Stevie RaeAnne Schrum, daughter of Stephen Schrum and Shelly Sadler of Chaffee; third place, Bailey Reanne Swinford, daughter of Tina Steger and John Swinford.

-- 15-to-18 months: first place, Lauren Haynes, daughter of Linda and Michael Hayes of Sikeston; second place, Hannah Elizabeth Carter, daughter of Randy and Yvonne Carter of Jackson; third place, Carlie Nicole Cattron, daughter of Janet Cattron of Jackson.

Winners in the Baby Boy Contest:

-- 3-to-6 months: first place, Brandon Ray Simpher, son of Brad and Carmen Simpher of Jackson; second place, Jacob Koenig, son of Keith and Jan Koenig of Burfordville; third place, Colton Gene Rhodes, son of Kevin and Melody Rhodes of Jackson.

-- 6-to-9 months: first place, Austin Rodgers, son of Steve and Crystal Rodgers of Wappapello; second place, Ibraheem Aziz, son of Omar and Lisa Aziz of Jackson; third place, Jakob Payne, son of John and Jackie Payne of Cape Girardeau.

-- 9-to-12 months: first place, Jordon Blake Kinder, son of Joe and Raquel Kinder of Chaffee; second place, Caleb Niederkorn, son of John and Deanna Niederkorn of Scott City; third place, Avery Abdul Gardner II, son of Avery and Leslie Garner of Cape Girardeau.

-- 12-to-15 months: first place, Austin Ray Carroll, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Carroll of Chaffee; second place, Austin Scott Treece, son of Scott and Jodi Treece of Scott City; third place, James Barnard, son of Fred and Kim Barnard of Jackson.

-- 15-to-18 months: first place, Kolton Schaefer, son of Mike and Tina Schaefer of Jackson; second place, Cody Sinn, son of Corey Clayton Sinn and Katrina Ann Ruch of Cape Girardeau; third place, Caleb Johnson, son of Chris and Julie Johnson of Jackson.