FAIR OPENING DRAWS LARGE CROWD

The SEMO District Fair began Sunday with entertainment for the entire family.

Some children paraded their pets around the grandstand. Others enjoyed the reduced rate for midway rides. Most had smiles on their faces.

The Pet Parade featured a wide array of farm animals, birds, dogs, and other critters.

Grand prize went to 4-year-old Ryan Lindsey of Bonne Terre, who rode his wagon in the pet parade, pulled by Bubba -- a black goat bearing a small horse harness. Ryan's dog Tiny rode shotgun.

The seventh annual SEMO Fair Horse Show attracted a crowd of 350 people Sunday afternoon.

"It's a family affair," said horse show organizer Becky Huck.

The show, held at the Arena Park grandstand, marked the opening of the 140th edition of the annual SEMO District Fair. With 19 entry categories, the show offered competition classes for all ages.

Children even had the chance to compete with their wooden toy horses in the "stick horse" class.

"If they don't have a real horse, they get a chance to be involved," said Brenda Reker, a show organizer.

Other youngsters are able to join parents or older siblings in the lead line for competition horses.

Participants competed in two riding divisions, Western and English. But almost every breed of horse was represented at the show.

Western riders wore cowboy hats, shirts, jeans and boots. English riders wore traditional riding attire.

More than 400 people competed in the show, with entrants from Illinois and Missouri.

"It's nothing to drive six hours for a good horse show," Huck said. "It gives people in the area a chance to see every breed of horse at the same time."

Dean and Pat Clark came from Carterville, Ill., to attend the opening day of this year's fair. The couple typically picks a day each year to attend the fair.

"It's one of the best fairs around," Pat Clark said, while watching the rides. "It's clean, and there's not much hassle."

There were plenty of attractions along the midway for fairgoers. In addition to free admission, Astro Amusements Co. Inc. offered unlimited rides with a $10 bracelet.

Kevin Groves of Cape Girardeau tried to ride every ride at the fair last year. Although he hadn't been on every ride early Sunday afternoon, he'd already selected his favorite -- The Backlash.

The SEMO District Fair continues today with free admission until 1 p.m. The parade from Capaha Park to the Fairgrounds begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a demolition derby at 8 p.m.