FAIR READY TO OPEN: HORSE SHOW, RIDES MARK FIRST-TIME SATURDAY START

The countdown is on for the start of the SEMO District Fair. Carnival rides and parking policies are in place and contestants are being sought for games.

The midway and carnival rides will open Saturday. Also, a 4-H horse show will be held Saturday afternoon in the grandstand area.

Sneak-a-Peek activities are planned Sunday, including an open horse show.

Cape Girardeau Police will be implementing special traffic arrangements for the SEMO District Fair to help motorists entering and exiting Arena Park.

No-parking signs will be placed around the park today and will be enforced beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday. Any vehicles parked in a no-parking or restricted-parking area will be towed and ticketed.

On Monday, in preparation of the fair's annual parade, no-parking signs will be placed in Capaha Park. North West End Boulevard will be closed between Broadway and Normal streets at 4 p.m. to allow the parade to form. Broadway west of 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 begins at 5:30 p.m.

Contestants are being sought for two children's events during the fair.

Children ages 5-14 may become Ag Spies. The program, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, provides boys and girls an opportunity to learn about agriculture and view the agriculture and livestock shows at the fair.

Children can pick up worksheets at the information tent on the fairgrounds. The worksheets contain questions like "How many quarts of milk are used in making one gallon of ice cream?" and "How many gallons of ethanol fuel can be made from one bushel of corn?"

As children tour the fair exhibits they will find posters containing the information to complete worksheets. Prizes will be awarded to those who complete the project.

Ever heard of looking for a needle in a hay stack? Well, a new contest for children based on that idea and sponsored by Boatmen's Bank can add up to money.

The game is called Quarter Scramble. Children up to and including age 10 will be scrambling for colored straws hidden in a pile of hay. Contestants trade in each colored straw they find for a quarter. The contest is divided into three age categories.

The Quarter Scramble will be held Sept. 19 in the livestock show tent immediately after the Parade of Champions at 10 a.m.

Registration is free. Register between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the show tent.