Fair provides dancing, bingo for seniors

The dance floor was rarely empty at the activities tent Wednesday at the SEMO District Fair.

JoAnn and John Schott of Oran, Mo., were one of several couples who waltzed, two-stepped and line danced to the band Country Touch during the afternoon.

The couple, both 72, said they like to dance wherever they find a dance floor.

"We just go here and there and yonder," she said.

She said they did not have many opportunities to go dancing while raising their five children. Now the couple, married for 52 years, likes to keep active.

"When you get our age, you've got to keep going," John said.

The tent had activities for seniors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. About 250 people played bingo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., said Dale Steffens, activities director. Residents from assisted living centers like Auburn Creek, Capetown, Chateau Girardeau, Fontainbleau Lodge and the Missouri Veterans Home came for the activities, he said.

Players competed for coffee mugs, T-shirts, lawn chairs and meals at the Senior Center, said Wendy Hayes of Montgomery Bank.

Steffens said the crowd was mostly serious and quiet until someone yelled "bingo."

"They have a good time," he said. "There's no question about it."

Floyd Fellows, 79, came with his wife Loretta, 75, a resident of Chateau Girardeau.

When asked about her favorite part of the fair, Loretta simply said, "corn dogs."

"That's what I was going to say, too," Floyd said to her.

He said he remembered when people brought picnic lunches to the fair and ate in the shade.

Wednesday he met with family and ran into old friends while listening to the band.

Cheryl Childers, activity director for Chateau Girardeau, said 12 residents came to play bingo, look at livestock and sample the food. The retirement community had shuttles transporting residents throughout the day, she said.

Events at the activities tent will continue today with a child/parent look-alike contest in the from 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday the tent will host John Michael Montgomery keyboardist Steve Hornbeak from 5 to 6 p.m. Bee Line South and Crossroads Gospel Group will perform from 6 to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the final day of the fair, events include a 4-H and FFA speech competition. There will also be three music performances, starting at 2 p.m. with the Small Town Boyz. The Reminisce Country Band and Punches Family Bluegrass with Country Fire Cloggers will follow at 3:45 and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau