FAIR OFFERS FAMILIES TIME TOGETHER FOR A QUARTER

You can't buy much for 25 cents these days, but Sunday afternoon that admission price would buy you a whole day's worth of entertainment. The Family Fun Fair was once again held at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. Proceeds there go to benefit the Community Counseling Center.

With most events costing only 25 to 40 cents, profits are not high.

"It's not intended as a money-making event," said Julie Baumann, Target employee and event chair. "We really don't do much better than break even."

The purpose of the event is to provide a low-cost carnival type atmosphere that the family can enjoy together.

The all-out community effort event takes volunteers from wherever it can get them. Baumann has been volunteering for about five years. This year she solicited the help of other Target employees to man the Chalk Art booth. Southeast Missouri State University assists with staffing in conjunction with its Greek week. The theme of this year's fair was "Families of the Millennium" and staff members dressed in period clothing for several of the events.

Zonta members had a ready supply of reading material for their Book Fair booth. Wal-Mart added to this year's events by sponsoring a yo-yo contest.

Laura Hurst and Abbey, a 5-year-old basset hound, were on hand to promote the Pet Pal program.

"We want to let people know we have pets ready to visit nursing homes and hospitals," she said.

There was also plenty of free entertainment on stage, including a martial arts display and the Hi-Cot'n Dancers. Members of Mary Walther's kindergarten class at the Trinity Lutheran School entertained the audience with a variety of songs. Sam Breite, son of the Rev. and Mrs. Douglas Breite was ready to get to the remainder of the activities as soon as he had performed.

Barb Mayfield, one of the early organizers of the fair, which began 15 years ago, said events such as the youngsters singing on stage was a great way to promote self-esteem.

Each year brings a different group of volunteers with a new variety of offerings for those attending.

"It used to be more of a carnival atmosphere with things older kids would do," Mayfield said. "I've noticed a trend toward families with younger children and activities for them."

Lindsey Seabaugh, 6, daughter of Emma Seabaugh, was busy running from booth to booth. She painted a rock, created a hat, drew a picture and made the frame, had a dolphin painted on her face, waited patiently while a Shriner twisted a balloon into an animal hat and jumped in the moon walk. After looking over the books she was ready to head to the mezzanine.