Fair adds new events for families

In the past few days Arena Park has undergone a remarkable transformation. Where before there was only green grass and asphalt, rows of white camper-trailers, mobile food carts, carnival rides and tractor-trailers sporting the images of the Budweiser Clydesdales now sit.

They're just waiting for Saturday.

On Saturday the SEMO District Fair kicks off its 152nd year, with the fairgrounds opening at 8:30 a.m. for the first event, the antique tractor pull at the grandstand, followed by the Southeast Missouri Hospital Women's Distance Run at 9 a.m. The midway opens at noon.

Fair organizers expect between 30,000 and 35,000 visitors to come through the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday combined, with an estimated 100,000 visitors before the fair ends Sept. 15.

Last year 95,502 people visited the fair. In 2005, 85,653 visited the fairgrounds.

Fair spokesman Pete Poe said a couple of new additions will help supplement the fair's family entertainment this year. One is the Heartland Regional Rodeo, taking place at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the grandstand. Another is a dinosaur display set up by the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History. The display will be at the fair Thursday through Sept. 15.

Another addition to this year's events will be the presence of the Budweiser Clydesdales. A team of eight Clydesdales will take part in Monday's fair parade and make daily appearances at the fairgrounds Monday through Sept. 15.

Other grandstand entertainment this year includes fair standbys like the Hot Rod Truck and Tractor Pull at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and the Dual Demo Derby at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; the Heartland Idol karaoke contest finals at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; and concerts by Blake Shelton at 8 p.m. Thursday, REO Speedwagon at 8 p.m. Sept. 14 and Pat Green at 8 p.m. Sept. 15.

Poe said REO Speedwagon has drawn the most interest from ticket buyers so far, saying the Illinois natives' concert is "selling very well."

The band, with hits like "Time for Me To Fly" and "Can't Fight This Feeling," prides itself on its Midwestern fan base and has gained a reputation for playing at rural fairs.

REO Speedwagon's appearance marks the return of classic rock to the grandstand after last year's absence.

Poe said Shelton's concert is also selling well, and interest in Pat Green has picked up recently.

For a complete fair schedule, visit www.semofair.com.

Other fair highlights include:

• Pet parade at 1 p.m., horse show at 1:30 p.m., antique car show from noon to 5 p.m. and SEMO Fair pageant at 3 p.m., all on Sunday.
• Parade to the fair grounds from Capaha Park at 5:30 p.m. Monday.
• The opening of livestock exhibits at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182