GOOD WEATHER SPURS CROWDS ON OPENING DAY AT DISTRICT FAIR

Whirling and twirling, spinning and bobbing, topsy-turvy, hold-onto-your-lunch fun was the theme of Sunday's "sneak preview" to the 138th annual SEMO District Fair.

Many hundreds of children, teenagers and parents who spent $10 on an armband pass lined up to sample the 25 rides during a family day at the fair grounds.

"This is the biggest sneak peak day ever," said SEMO District Fair Board Director Steve Engles. He attributed Sunday's attendance largely to the temperate late-summer weather.

"If this cool weather holds out and we don't get any rain, we may break all kinds of attendance records," Engles said. Sunday, a majority of the fairgoers took advantage of the "ride-til-you-drop" armband special from noon to 5 p.m.

"We try to have a variety of rides that people of all ages will enjoy a little something for everyone," said Steve Thebault, owner of Astro Amusement Company.

Astro is substituting this year for Farrow Amusement, which has provided rides at the fair for several years. The company started setting up camp on the south end of the fairgrounds last week and was ready to go when people began arriving at noon Sunday.

"If we had to, we could get everything set up in six hours," Thebault said. "We had a lot more time in this situation."

After the rides are all set up and ready to roll, they are inspected by the company, the city of Cape Girardeau and members of the SEMO District Fair Board.

The result: hundreds of square yards of games, concession stands, rides, ticket booths and assorted other vendors.

Rides with names like Tilt-A-Wheel, Super Sizzler, Ring of Fire, Kamikaze and Awar Express dot the grounds, luring thrill-seeking fairgoers to their gates. As the Kamikaze reaches its apex, screams of terror and delight emitted by upside down riders can be heard from the ground, several stories below.

For thrill-seekers whose appetite for adventure cannot be satisfied by these rides, a bungee-jumping crane lift has been placed at the southeast corner of the grounds.

Sunday, a steady stream of jumpers leaped from the safety of the crane platform, springing up and down over a huge air mattress.

"Kiddie rides" are located at the northernmost end of the area. Children can ride at a slower pace in giant strawberries they can spin in circles.

On Sunday, dozens of children squealed in anticipation of taking their turn on the rides. One very popular with the older children was the Fun House, located at the far southwest corner of the fairgrounds.

"Mom, I'm going to do that again, OK?" said one anxious child as she made a beeline for the entrance. "Mom" never had a chance to respond. She waited patiently as her youngster made her way through the line again.

The fair also is offering pony rides to children behind the Conservation Center, at the northwest edge of the fairgrounds. Not far from the ponies, a small elephant stands waiting to cart giggling children around.

Fair organizers expect one of the main attractions of this year's event to arrive early this morning. They have arranged for the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world to be brought to Cape Girardeau from Ohio.

"It's the 100th anniversary of the Ferris wheel," Engles said. "We thought it would be appropriate to have the wheel here as Cape Girardeau is celebrating its bicentennial and the fair is celebrating its 138th consecutive year in operation."

Organizers say armbands provide the best value for fairgoers wanting to enjoy the rides. Armbands can be purchased for $12 Tuesday, and will be good from 5-11 p.m. On Friday "Kids Day" at the fair armbands will again be sold for $10, and will be good for the hours between noon and 5 p.m.

Otherwise, tickets for rides can be purchased for 50 cents apiece. Each ride requires two, three or four tickets for admittance.

Engles said Sunday that the board is anticipating a record turnout at Monday's Demolition Derby event and at the concerts scheduled for this weekend.

"Collin Raye and Charlie Daniels are almost sold out before the fair even officially opens," Engles said. "I've also heard that we have more entries than ever in this year's demo derby."

Also returning by popular demand is the Big Bull Chute-Out Wednesday evening.

"Last year's response to the bull riding was unbelievable," Engles said. "We're looking at what could be our best year ever."

Fair queen candidates in four categories were judged Sunday in the R&R Tent. Christina Icaza placed first in the Little Miss SEMO Fair division; Brook McDonald, first runner-up; and Kimberly Flowers, second runner-up.

April Spain was crowned Junior Miss SEMO Fair; Christina Brumbaugh, first runner-up; and Julie Stallings, second runner-up.

Jennifer Icaza was named Miss SEMO Fair; Nicole Wadlington, first runner-up; and Celeste Terrell, second runner-up.

Jean Ann Burke was crowned Mrs. SEMO Fair; Kelly Williams, first runner-up; and Angela Grupas, second runner-up.

The fair officially opens today at the end of the SEMO District Fair Parade, which begins at Capaha Park at 5:30 p.m.