EVERYTHING READY FOR 140TH SEMO FAIR

Each year at this time, it happens.

People arrive at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau to clean out buildings, put up tents and fences, set up the livestock pens and gates, install carnival midway rides and, in general, prepare for the annual Southeast Missouri District Fair.

"The Tradition Continues, 140 Years Long," is the theme of this year's fair, which was created in 1855 by the Missouri General Assembly.

It all starts again Sunday.

"The grounds are open today," said Sara Scheper, office secretary at the fairgrounds. "There will be a lot of activity with people setting up booths and making final preparations for the Sunday start."

This year's fair is a day shorter than 1994, which had an eight-day run, when a special 4-H and Youth Horse Show kicked things off on Saturday.

With good weather, fair officials are expecting a big turnout for Sunday activities, which include a pet parade, horse show and Astro Amusements.

Admission to the grounds is free Sunday. Admission, $2 for adults and children older than 12, will be charged from 1 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Parking fees are $2 daily, but a weekly vehicle permit is available for $7.50. Trams will provide free transportation between parking lots and admission gates after 1 p.m. Sunday and Saturday and after 4 p.m. on weekdays.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will implement some special traffic arrangements for the fair to assure a smooth and safe flow of motor vehicles entering and exiting the Arena park area.

"No Parking" signs have already been placed around the area and will be enforced starting Sunday at 10 a.m.

Any vehicles parked in a "No Parking" or "Restricted Parking" area will be towed and a traffic ticket issued.

"No Parking" signs will be placed in Capaha Park Monday. North West End Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Broadway and Normal Streets at 4 p.m. to allow the fair parade to form. Broadway Street west of West End Boulevard and Kingshighway, between Broadway and Cape Rock Drive, will be closed during the parade. Broadview Street north of Atlas Drive to the entrance of Arena Park, will also be closed during the parade, which starts at 5 p.m. Monday.

The carnival midway will open at noon Sunday, with the grounds open at 11 a.m. The pet parade will be held in the grandstands at 1 p.m., prior to the horse show, a 19-class event featuring classes for 6 year olds and younger through adults.

Prices for carnival ride tickets vary from ride to ride, but on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday fair patrons can buy bracelets for $10 and ride an unlimited number of times. Bracelets can be purchased at the fair and are good only on the day of purchase. Friday is Tiny Tots Bracelet Day, with $5 bracelets available for use on the kiddie rides only, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Like previous years, fairgoers will have a variety of grandstand events and other activities throughout the week. Grandstand events include the Demolition Derby Monday, Tractor Pull Tuesday and Truck Pull Wednesday.

Visitors to the fair will have three nights of country music entertainment, starting Thursday Holly Dunn, a songwriter turned singer. She was named songwriter of the year in 1988, and has written most of her songs.

On Friday, Aaron Tippin will make a return engagement. Tippin, also a writer-singer, appeared at the 1994 Fair. He is noted for such songs as "You've Got to Stand for Something" and "Call of the Wild." His latest hit is "He Feels Like a Brand New Man."

Ricky Van Shelton, a multi-talented singer who has captured Country Music Association's Horizon Award and Male Vocalist of the Year, along with many other honors, will provide grandstand entertainment Saturday.

Additional musical entertainment during the week will include the Dale & Melody show from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at the R&R tent.

The annual SEMO Fair Pageant will be held at 7:30 Thursday and includes seven classes -- Tiny Miss to Mrs. SEMO Fair. In between will be Little Miss, Young Miss, Preteen Miss, Teen Miss, and Miss SEMO Fair.

Other activities during the week will be the baby contests, for girls Tuesday at 5 p.m., and for boys, Wednesday at 5 p.m.; 4-H/FFA tractor ride at noon Thursday, antique tractor show and contest at 8 a.m. Saturday; FFA/4-H public speaking contest at 9 a.m. Saturday and a poultry and rabbit dress-up contest at noon Saturday, Sept. 16.

Another special event is the 4 p.m. pedal tractor pull Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Judging of entries in the exhibit hall will be held Monday. Other judging, of livestock, crafts and hobbies, home economics will continue throughout the week.

Grandstand event tickets are available at the fair office at the south entrance to the Arena Building or by calling 334-9250.