FUN AND INSTRUCTIONAL ENTERTAINMENT AWAITS AT REST & RELAXATION TENT

Entertainment, both fun and instructional, awaits fairgoers each day in the Rest and Relaxation tent.

The tent will be in the north end of the fairgrounds, close to the entrance gate, SEMO District Fair Association President Pete Poe said.

Starting Sunday, Sept. 8, at 5:30 p.m., Freedom Celebration '91, put on by the First General Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau, will perform at the tent. The show will feature patriotic music, Poe said.

Astronaut and Oak Ridge native Linda Godwin will speak at the tent Monday at 7 p.m. after the fair parade.

"She's going to speak on the space program and that type of thing," said Poe.

The following day, Tuesday, will feature the annual pretty baby contest. Babies compete in five categories: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-17-month boy and 12-17-month girl.

On Wednesday the tent will feature activities from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for elderly people. Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau is sponsoring the activities. Poe said mostly dancing will be offered in addition to some games.

From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Crossroads Band and the Little Ole Opry Performers will take to the stage, said Poe.

Thursday will feature the second annual old time fiddlers contest at 1 p.m. and the musical group of Brent & the McClain Sisters from 4 to 7 p.m. Poe said the group performs a variety of contemporary music.

St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau will sponsor children's activities at the tent from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. The ag citing safari hunt will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contestants will take part in a scavenger hunt over the fairgrounds, said Poe.

At 2 p.m. Friday a Nintendo contest will be held for children up to 13 years of age, said Poe. Crossroads and the Little Ole Opry Performers will perform again Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

4-H Club and Future Farmers of America members will compete in a public speaking contest at the tent Saturday at 10 a.m. Poe said the contest is open only to members, who will speak on topics they choose themselves.

Saturday also will feature for children a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles look-a-like contest and a smile contest. The contests begin at 12:30 p.m. Children from 4 to 12 years of age may compete in the smile contest.

Crossroads and the Little Ole Opry Performers will close out Saturday's entertainment from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.