R&R TENT KICKS UP ITS HEALS WITH MUSIC, GAMES, SCREENINGS

If you tire of canvassing cattle, checking the chickens or perusing the pigs while at the SEMO District Fair, stop by the R&R Tent north of the fairgrounds for some relaxing, free entertainment.

"There's really more than meets the eye to the R&R Tent," said tent project chairman Harlan Siebert. "There's always something going on under the tent."

The R&R Tent will be located on the surface of the basketball courts, about a block north of the Conservation Building on the Arena Park grounds.

Activities under the tent-top begin Sunday with the SEMO Fair Pageant, which makes its return to the fair after many years' absence.

Activities under the tent resume Tuesday with the girls' baby contest.

"We have a lot of people turn out for that," Siebert said. "There's babies everywhere."

Babies will compete solely based on "cuteness" in five age groups. Entry forms can be picked up at the SEMO District Fair office. Parents must show proof of the child's birth date to enter and on the day of the contest.

Starting early Wednesday at 7 a.m., livestock and other exhibitors will be treated to a complimentary breakfast in the R&R Tent.

"We expect to feed 250 to 300 people," Siebert said. "It's just something nice we try to do for the exhibitors, some of whom have traveled a long way to compete in the fair.

"The livestock, produce and craft judging are really what the fair is all about," he said.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Southeast Missouri Hospital has scheduled health screenings and activities for the "Senior Set" in the tent.

Hospital personnel will run blood tests, heart screenings, blood pressure and other simple but vital tests on older persons wishing to participate. All senior citizens who visit the tent on Wednesday will receive a bag of "goodies," including a seven-day pill box, pencils, note pads, hand-fans and other items.

From 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, the Bob Rosenquist Band will play country music under the tent.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the boys equivalent of the cute baby contest will be held in the R&R Tent.

"Last year that was about our most popular activity," Siebert said. "We had 49 boys and 79 girls entered in the contests."

At 2 p.m. Thursday, the tent will host the Fourth Annual Old Tyme Fiddler's Contest. Free registration starts at noon under the tent.

Fiddlers will have a 7- to 8-minute time limit to fiddle to their hearts' content. The top fiddlers in the region will be awarded prize money.

From 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, the Bob Rosenquist Band will again perform country music.

On Friday, St. Francis Medical Center will provide activities and their own goodies for the "Younger Set," from 1-4:30 p.m.

Children who attend will receive coloring books, crayons, stickers, "and other fun stuff for kids," said Siebert. "Parents will also be given important safety information and tips to keep their kids from danger."

At 2 p.m. Friday during the St. Francis activities there will be a Nintendo contest for children under 6, and for ages 7-13.

"They will be able to test their skills against other kids rather than against mom and dad," Siebert said. "It should be a lot of fun; we hope to have a good turnout at that."

From 5-7 p.m. Friday, The All Stars Band of Sikeston will perform country music under the tent.

"Usually the older people come out and listen to the music," Siebert said. "We hope that some of the younger kids come out and dance this year we have some great bands lined up."

Closing out the activities at the R&R Tent will be the Smile Contest at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The event is sponsored and organized by Shanon T. Kirchhoff, a Cape Girardeau orthodontist.

"We can't frown on him," Siebert said. "He does this whole thing himself."

Kirchhoff and others will judge the best smiles in the region; prizes will be awarded.

"The great thing about the R&R Tent is that nothing that takes place under it will cost you a dime," said Siebert. "It's a nice place to go and relax for a while, a little off the beaten path of the fairgrounds."