PARADE KICKS OFF THE OFFICIAL START OF 136TH DISTRICT FAIR MONDAY NIGHT

MORE THAN DOZEN BANDS JOIN PARADE: A parade will officially kick off the SEMO District Fair at 5:30 p.m. Monday. It will begin from Capaha Park, and proceed to the fairgrounds. More than a dozen bands will participate this year. Above, members of the Cape Central High School Band strut their stuff in last year's parade.

Organizers expect bigger-than-ever crowds this year for the SEMO District Fair parade on Monday, Sept. 9.

The parade, which officially kicks off the fair, begins at 5:30 p.m. at Capaha Park and travels west on Broadway to Arena Park.

Parade organizer Norm Robert said, "The parade is a way to kick off the fair and to build excitement for the week."

Robert credits this year's parade marshal, Oak Ridge astronaut Linda Godwin, and a visit by the Budweiser Clydesdales, for increased attention to the parade.

"We are expecting tremendous crowds," Robert said. "We always have a good crowd, wall-to-wall people."

But he said he expects even more people to attend this year's parade.

In addition to serving as parade marshal, Godwin will speak at the fairgrounds during the opening ceremony.

The parade will offer the best look at the Clydesdales while they are in Cape Girardeau, Robert said. "And they are quite a sight to see."

Robert said he expects to have 12 to 14 bands in the parade. "Normally we have about 10," he said. "This also shows the increased interest. With the bigger crowds, the parade offers a good opportunity for the bands to come out and show what they can do."

Robert said he has no idea what the final parade entry count will be. "I'm getting calls every day, and people can enter the parade by just showing up around 4:30 to 4:45 that day," he said. "We always have room for everybody."