SCOTT CITY MID-SUMMER FEST SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 28-29

SCOTT CITY -- Plans are under way for the 15th annual Scott City Mid-Summer Festival scheduled for June 28-29 at the Scott City Park.

Tonya Davis, festival chairperson, said the festival began to give people in the community an opportunity to get together, and it really hasn't changed much over the years.

"It stays the same and everybody likes it that way," said Davis, a member of the city's Park Board.

The festivities kick off the evening of June 28 with a parade from the parking lot of the IGA store to the park. Davis said the 15 Miss Summer Teen contestants will be in the parade, along with the contestants for the Little Mr. and Mrs. contest. Davis said about seven girls and seven boys usually compete in the contest, which is a favorite of grandparents.

Activities after the parade will be held in the park. They include a 7 p.m. euchre tournament, the Miss Summer Teen contest and music by TUFA.

Events the following day kick off at 1 p.m. with an open horseshoe pitching tournament.

Davis said that while the Mid-Summer Festival itself usually draws people from in and around Scott City, the horseshoe contest draws spectators and contestants from all over Southeast Missouri.

"A lot of people from the surrounding area usually come to watch and participate in the horseshoe tournament," she said. "It's really popular."

David said euchre tournaments, which will be held both days, also draw a lot of people.

The festival, which is sponsored by the park board, is the biggest event of the summer in Scott City, Davis said.

Activities scheduled for June 29 are the Little Mr. and Miss contest at 6 p.m., the Puttin' on the Hits contest at 7 p.m. and music by Decade from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Hourly drawings will be held for attendance prizes and all activities will take place at the park. Other prizes that will be given away are a Cardinals weekend in St. Louis and a quilt.

A 10 p.m. fireworks display will be the last event of the festival.

Davis said lots of food will be available at the festival, including barbecue, hamburgers, pizza, nachos and deserts. There are also rides for kids and adults, she said.

The real success of the two-day event usually depends on the weather, Davis said.

"If it holds out, we should have a pretty good turnout," she said.