REMEMBER WHEN? SOME COUNT FAIRS BY THE DECADES

8,631- 1998 fair attendance through Tuesday evening

Vincent and Dorothy Miller took a break from dancing Wednesday afternoon at the SEMO District Fair.

"It's great fun," said Vincent Miller. "We've been coming to the fair since it was at the Capaha Park." That was in the 1930s.

Like many senior citizens, the Millers have been regulars at the fair for decades.

"They used to not have dances, but a lot of things are real similar," Dorothy Miller said. "I think this is wonderful."

Farmers from near Scott City, the Millers have paid their dues --working at the Pork Hut, showing mules, supervising children. Now it is their turn to have fun at the fair.

On-and-off rain is predicted through the rest of the week, but a steady drizzle Wednesday afternoon didn't dampen spirits. Just a little "liquid sunshine," said Peggy Barringer of Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Tonight at 8, Willie Nelson will appear at the grandstand. Ticket sales have been strong.

"He's drawing the older people and the young people," said Ann Bodenstein with the fair. "It seems like everyone's excited that Willie is coming. We're expecting a large crowd."

Tickets are still available. "We will take care of anyone who wants to go," said Bodenstein. "We'll find them a seat."

Marie Hampton of Jackson took a seat in the R&R tent Wednesday afternoon and remembered her trips to the fair years ago. "We came with the children to see the carnival and the animals and such," she said.

Now Hampton goes to the fair without youngsters. "I really enjoy the displays in the Arena Building, the blue ribbons. I think the fairgrounds have really expanded, especially where the livestock is housed."

She goes to the fair to see her friends and enjoy the atmosphere. "They also have a band and bingo," said Hampton. "The fair has everything."

It has calves and quilts, tractors and horse trailers and lots of memories for those who count their trips to the fair by the decades.

"I like the noise," said Albert Atkins of Jackson. "We come for the animals, the noise and the food."

Atkins especially likes "elephant ears," large fried doughnuts the size of a dinner plate covered with powdered sugar and jelly.

"Actually, I like all the fatty food they say we're not supposed to eat," he confided.

He and his wife, Loretta, are die-hard fair fans. "We love the fair," she said. "We used to go to a fair in Peoria before we moved here."

Now they make an annual trip to the SEMO District Fair.

"Oh, you know, I just wanted to get out of the house," Albert Atkins teased.

SEMO DISTRICT FAIR

Tractor rodeo -- Noon today at the Grandstand

Livestock sale -- 4:30 p.m. today

Circus show -- 5 and 7:30 tonight at the Big Top Tent

Willie Nelson -- 8 tonight at the Grandstand