RAIN FAILS TO SLOW FAIRGOERS

Attendance for the 139th SEMO District Fair continues its record-setting pace. The fair drew an estimated 59,000, heading into Friday's events. The eight-day event ends tonight.

Rains, which fell at the fairgrounds Friday afternoon, had little effect on attendance. Fair officials say thousands entered the fairgrounds Friday, and more than 2,500 attended the grandstand performance of country singer Janie Fricke.

"People are saying they love the carnival rides," fair board member Steve Engels said.

Total attendance at last year's fair approached 77,000. It was nearly 4,400 less than the year before.

Heavy rain storms and cloudy, cool weather during part of last week led to the drop in attendance in 1993, officials said.

A Southeast Missouri State University senior was hired as an intern to conduct surveys throughout the fair.

"The feedback we're getting is that people think this is one of the cleanest and most improved fairs ever," Engels said.