Cotton Carnival begins Tuesday

By Leonna Heuring ~ The Standard Democrat

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Nearly 70 years ago, American Legion Henry Meldrum Post 114 created the Cotton Carnival and parade as a homecoming for World War II veterans.

Today, the annual fall event remains a time for past and present residents of Sikeston reunite.

"Everybody grew up at the Cotton Carnival," said American Legion member Chester Kordahl "It's family reunion time."

Vickie Wilson, district president of the American Legion Auxiliary, agreed.

"The good thing about the Cotton Carnival is that people have started planning their class reunions around the week of Cotton Carnival and renew their friendships and see people they haven't seen in years," Wilson said. "It's always been a draw for that, and for people to come back and reacquaint themselves with some people they haven't seen in years is wonderful."

Kordahl oversees the American Legion Henry Meldrum Post No. 114's fish sandwich stand. He said every year he hears people talk about their love for the Cotton Carnival.

"We get a lot of people coming to the fish trailer, and they ask: ‘When is it next year so we can plan to be back?'" Kordahl said.

In addition to reconnecting with others, the Cotton Carnival offers favorite foods for many.

For those looking for a taste of the Legion's fish sandwiches and hamburgers, they're served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from about 5 p.m. to close Tuesday through Friday and from about noon until close Saturday.

Kordahl, who has worked in the Legion's fish sandwich trailer for 37 years, estimated 9,000 sandwiches are sold during the event. Of those, he estimated between 6,000 and 6,500 are fish sandwiches.

During regular midway hours of 5 p.m. to close Tuesday through Friday and noon to close Saturday, the Sons of the American Legion will serve french fries, barbecue sandwiches, hot wings and chili cheese fries.

The Shriners and Ladies Auxiliary also offer other foods for carnival goers.

Tinsley's Amusements will return with a variety of rides. Parking and admission to the carnival are free.

Rides open at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at noon Saturday. Wristbands for the carnival rides will be offered Tuesday and a part of Saturday for $20.

Pageants begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday with the Little Mister and Miss Cotton Carnival contests on the Cotton Carnival stage on the midway.

Competition for Junior Miss Sikeston will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The Miss Cotton Carnival contest, set for about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, is open to any unmarried teenager in high school (except those attending Sikeston High School) and residing in Southeast Missouri.

The Miss Sikeston Pageant, which features Sikeston High School senior girls, begins at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Cotton Carnival culminates with one of the state's largest parades. The Cotton Carnival Parade, "A salute to Navy Seals," begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Pine Street.

"We are going to have more dignitaries out of Jefferson City this year," Wilson said. "They've been hearing all these years about the Cotton Carnival, and they want to participate. The state of Missouri Color Guard, which recently won first place in its national competition, is going to lead this year's parade."

From Pine Street, the parade travels north to Malone Avenue, then west to Scott Street before dispersing in vacant parking lots west of Scott Street.

Kordahl commended the Sikeston Jaycees for allowing the Legion to host the carnival on the rodeo grounds and all of the groups that volunteer their time to make the event a success.

For more information, call the American Legion at 471-9956 or visit sikestonamericanlegion.com.