Carnival crews work through night to tear down rides at SEMO District Fair

After the last funnel cake is devoured, after the Ferris wheel spins 'round for its final time, after the fair fun comes to an end, it's time to pack up.

Starting at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, about 100 workers with Lowery Carnival Co. labored into the early morning hours dismantling the 30 or so rides and many more game and concession booths.

Typically, setting up for the fair takes several days to allow time for maintenance and inspections, said Willie Parker, 22, of Pretoria, South Africa, who has been traveling with Louisiana-based Lowery Carnival Co. for the past two years.

Taking the rides down is a much quicker process, he said. Carnival crews are assigned for specific rides.

"It's your ride. You must set it up, run it and then take it down," Parker said.

When it comes to setting up the midway for the SEMO District Fair, fair board president Pete Poe said Lowery crews arrive early and take their time setting up over several days.

"It actually takes as long as we have to set up. We can do it in a day, or we can take five days to do it. It just depends on how much time we have," said owner Tony Lowery.

Parker said he'd been in Cape Girardeau for about four weeks preparing for the SEMO District Fair. During that time, workers painted some of the equipment, replaced light bulbs, greased parts and replaced trailer tires.

"In the course of the season, things take a beating. It's nice to have a few days," Lowery said.

After packing up here in Cape Girardeau, about 60 truckloads of carnival equipment, bunkhouses and travel trailers will head down the road to Louisiana to set up for another event this week.

"I love the travel. We're all like a family," Parker said.

He said he doesn't mind working through the night to pack up because he usually is ready to get to the next town.

How fast things came down Saturday night depended in part on the weather, Lowery said.

"If it starts raining, it slows us down and sometimes it stops us. We'll just have to play that by ear. Ordinarily, we'll roll out Sunday afternoon," he said.

Today a crew of about 120 people with the SEMO District Fair will begin cleaning up the fairgrounds and livestock barns. Tents will be taken down Monday afternoon and cleanup will continue Tuesday, Poe said.

"We usually get it done late Wednesday afternoon," he said.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

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Fair patrons file through aisle of the food vendors Saturday, September 17, 2011 during the final night of the SEMO District Fair at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, MO