DESPITE HEAT, FAIR ATTENDANCE CLIMBS; FINAL CROWD HITS 81,500 MARK AT FAIR

Despite scorching daytime temperatures, attendance at the weeklong SEMO District Fair totaled about 81,500, an increase over last year's attendance of 78,208, organizers said.

"It's all been super," said Pete Poe, SEMO District Fair Board president.

"We are extremely pleased with the attendance," he said.

"We cut our activity days just about in half because we didn't have anything in the daytime because it was just too hot," he added.

"We talked (prior to the fair) about what to do in the event of rain and downpours and mud slides," said Poe. But fair organizers couldn't do anything about the heat, he said.

Fairgoers flocked to the fairgrounds Friday and Saturday. Attendance Friday was 20,000.

Final attendance figures for Saturday were not available as of late Saturday night, but attendance was estimated at 19,300.

Poe said about 3,500 people crowded into the grandstand Saturday night to hear the country music group, Shenandoah.

"All in all, we think it was a very successful fair," said Poe.

"This year we had some class entertainment that did well for us," he added.

Poe said organizers concentrated this year on keeping the fairgrounds clean during the weeklong event. "We made a special effort to make it clean."

The installation of underground electrical cables and the paving of gravel roads in Arena Park also contributed to cleaner-looking fairgrounds, he said.

"All the roads in Arena Park are paved," said Poe. "That has cut down on the dust a lot."

Poe said the fair board wanted to promote a "wholesome atmosphere" in an effort to attract families to the fair.

A number of attractions proved popular with fairgoers this year, Poe said.

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales and the eight-horse hitch attracted a lot of interest.

The horses performed around 6 p.m. daily in the grandstand. "They prance to the music, they really do," said Poe.

In their stalls on the fairgrounds, they may look docile. "But once they put on that collar, they stand up tall and proud," said Poe. "They know it is show time."

Camel rides also proved popular as did the carnival rides, Poe said.

Most food vendors also did well. "For the most part, the concessionaires are smiling," he pointed out.

In addition to traditional fair food like funnel cakes and corn dogs, this year's fair also offered pizza and tacos.