MORE AT THE FAIR THAN MEETS THE EYE

The midway attractions at the SEMO District Fair generate enough electricity to light a few buildings or a hospital with its 895,000 kilowatts of power.

The Ferris wheel alone requires about 6,000 lights and stands 80 feet tall.

Although it requires a large amount of electricity, it only takes a day and a half to set up for the Fair, said Tom Thebault, general manager for Astro Amusements Co. Inc. About half of the 28 carnival rides are specifically designed for small children and toddlers. Friday afternoon was "Tiny Tots" day at the Fair.

Friday night is usually a big night for the Fair: It draws larger crowds and more people onto the rides. But bracelet nights are the most popular. At least twice during the week, Astro Amusements offers non-stop rides for a $10 bracelet charge.

Normally it costs from $1.50 to $3 for a ride. Each ride averages about two minutes and costs two to four tickets.

But the rides aren't the only expense at the Fair. Food is a big attraction for fair-goers. The 35 food stands offer everything from fried potatoes to corn dogs and cotton candy. The average meal -- sodas or lemon shakeups, corn dogs and a funnel cake -- for two people at the Fair could cost as much as $10.

Cotton candy and taffy are favorites with children. But parents shouldn't worry too much: There is only eight or nine teaspoons of sugar in a bag of cotton candy."Since it's spun sugar, you probably only use about eight or nine teaspoons," said Dennis Merigian, a vendor. Cooler weather often boosts caramel apple sales, but popcorn sales are down."The microwave has wrecked popcorn," he said. "The same is true for caramel apples."There are 15 portable restrooms at strategic locations around the park. Arena Park already has five permanent restroom locations on the grounds.

Winding your way through the 120-acre fairgrounds isn't easy, but there are 65 different exhibits and 27 tents for livestock to stop at along the way. Remember to throw your trash in one of the 33 large trash bins or 80, 55-gallon barrels around the park.

The grandstand entertainment should never sell out, said Pete Poe, vice president of the SEMO District Fair board. "We won't sell out of seats; we'll just keep adding chairs." In fact, there are 2,000 folding chairs on the track to accommodate the 4,500 who can fill the grandstand."If the tickets are selling, you'll still find a seat," Poe said.

You might be able to hear the Fair without leaving the comfort of your home: Its sounds can be heard all across town."I live about two blocks from here and can hear all of it," Poe said. "I work over at the Drury Lodge in real life and can hear lots of it there."More than 60,000 people have walked through the gates at the Fair. About 85 percent of them come from a 50-mile radius of Cape Girardeau. The average fair-goer attends the fair twice during its run.

Average daily attendance is about 12,000. Admission prices are only $2 and haven't changed in more than 10 years.

The 12,000 daily fair-goers arrive in about 3,500 vehicles each night. A staff of 120 people work at the admission and parking gates during the week. "Attendance Sunday through Wednesday is up," Poe said. "And would have been more except for the rain, but we are experts at water removal." At least one rain shower during the week is tradition for the 141-year-old Fair.

Many of the fair-goers stop by the 4-H and FFA livestock tents. The farm animals use about 150 bales of hay each day and will eat up to 600 pounds of grain.

Charles Voelker of Perryville feeds his cattle three pounds of dry mixture to yield a gallon of milk. One animal weighs about 1,350 pounds and produces about 15 pounds of manure.

The animals were entered into contests and shows during the week. Judges give out 4,000 ribbons. There are about 300 entries in the FFA and 4-H divisions and 700 in the open class.