RAIN, MUD DON'T DAMPEN SPIRITS AT SEMO DISTRICT FAIR

Chilly weather and the soppy ground did not keep people from the 138th annual SEMO District Fair Wednesday night, nor did it hamper the Big Bull Chute-Out event scheduled for the grandstand.

Almost two inches of rain deluged the fairgrounds early Tuesday evening, forcing organizers to call off all events for the evening.

Water rose on the northwest end of the park, forcing some livestock exhibitors to take their animals home.

Some fairgoers were stranded for hours when their vehicles became stuck in the grass lots surrounding Arena Park.

But early Wednesday morning, fair workers were out in force to get the fairgrounds back in shape for the thousands of people expected to turn out for the bull riding and armband night at the carnival.

"The ground is pretty solid," said Bob Nitsch, director of the fair board. "We laid some wood shavings and chat in the wetter areas and on the roadways to firm it up in the soft places."

Woodshavings were also laid in a majority of the livestock tents and in walkways between carnival rides on the lower side of the fairgrounds, hardest hit by the rains.

"The woodshavings and chat are good because the grass can grow right up through there after the ground dries," Nitsch said. "It will also make the ground a little firmer in years to come."

The parking lots had dried out enough by Wednesday afternoon to permit parking in most areas. Traffic was directed around areas were deep tire ruts had been cut into the ground.

Most people seemed to enjoy Wednesday's cooler weather.

"We enjoy wearing jackets and sweaters," said Vaughn McDowell, who was attending the fair with Sarah Lorberg. Both were wearing jeans, long-sleeved shirts and light jackets. "It's a little muddy around the rides, but otherwise it's a pretty nice evening."

Police and fire personnel were dressed in gloves, jackets and sweatshirts. Fair security donned dark-colored jackets and gloves. SEMO Fair Board members wore bright red jackets bearing the fair logo.

"People dressed for the weather for the most part," Nitsch said. "We're on the edge of the fall season anyhow, so this can't be much of a surprise to anyone."

To prepare the grandstand for the bull-riding event, workers came in early Wednesday and bulldozed the top few inches of soil, allowing the ground underneath to dry completely.

"That was all ready to go at noon," We had a few people out here who really knew what they were doing and set to work in doing it."

The fair board will refund all money to ticketholders to Tuesday night's tractor pull, which was canceled because of the bad weather. Refunds can be obtained in the fair office upstairs in the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

No all-you-can-ride armbands had been sold Tuesday night when the rains started, but several hundred people turned out Wednesday for the rescheduled event.

The only event which had to be canceled Wednesday was the breakfast for the livestock exhibitors in the R&R tent. The breakfast was rescheduled for 7:30 a.m. today.

"We're going to be in real good shape (Thursday)," said Nitsch. "I just hope it doesn't rain anymore."