PAGEANT PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR SEMO DISTRICT FAIR

Plans were announced Monday for the annual SEMO Fair Pageant, the second day of the 146th SEMO District Fair at Arena Park.

The pageant will start at 3 p.m. Sept. 9, at the R & R Tent at the SEMO Fairgrounds.

Competition includes pageant wear or party dress in four divisions and sportswear and evening gown in two of those divisions, Teen Miss SEMO Fair and Miss SEMO Fair. The prize package includes crowns, trophies, sashes and savings bonds. The entry fee will be paid for the Miss SEMO Fair winner to enter the Sedalia State Fair Pageant.

"We're looking forward to the annual pageant," said Melody Hutson, one of the pageant coordinators. "The pageants here are a big draw. We usually have standing-room only."

The coordination team of Hutson, Vicki Abernathy and Shari McConnell expect the names of some of the entrants to be familiar.

Some entrants start early, in the 2-year-old Tiny Miss contest, said Abernathy, and many of thementer every class, through Miss SEMO Fair.

Classes include:

* Tiny Miss SEMO Fair, 2 to 3 years old.

* Little Miss SEMO Fair, 4 to 6 years old.

* Young Miss SEMO Fair, 7 to 9 years old.

* Pre-Teen Miss SEMO Fair, 10 to 13 years old.

* Teen Miss SEMO Fair, 14 to 16 years old.

* Miss SEMO Fair, 17 to 22 years old.

Additional information and applications are available at the fair office, or by calling Abernathy at 243-0028 or McConnell at 335-0423.

The fair will open Sept. 8.

Eight-day event

"We open to the public at 1 p.m. on a Saturday, and have scheduled eight great days of fair activity," said fair spokesman Pete Poe.

The fair had a "soft opening" Midway only last year. "The Saturday opening was well received," Poe said. "We decided to try the eight-day format for 2001."

One highlight Saturday will be the Midwest Food and Poultry Recipe contest. "This is a new event," Poe said. Rules and entry forms are at the fair office."

Opening day events include a 7 p.m. gospel concert, featuring the Arnolds, the Principals and Heaven Bound.

Sunday activities include a 1 p.m. pet parade and 1:30 p.m. horse show.

The annual parade will be at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

Early in the week, the grandstands will be used for various motor events -- a demolition derby Monday, mini-car figure-8 derby Tuesday and tractor-truck pull Wednesday, all with 7:30 p.m. starts.

Entertainment has been announced Charlie Pride, Trick Pony and Neal McCoy -- and tickets are on sale at the fair ticket office at the south end of the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

Trick Pony will appear for the grandstand event Thursday, Sept. 13; Neal McCoy will appear the next night; and Charley Pride will provide the headline entertainment Saturday, Sept. 15. All start at 8 p.m.

A number of special events include a baby contest for girls and boys, ages 3 through 18 months. These events will be held at the R&R tent Tuesday for girls, Wednesday for boys. Both start at 5:30 p.m.