SEMO FAIR BEGINS PLANS FOR 1996

Plans are in the works for the Southeast Missouri District Fair.

"We don't know who the entertainment's going to be," said Pete Poe, vice president of the fair board. "That's usually the first thing people ask."

Attendance for the fair was up about 16 percent from the 1994 event, he said, estimating attendance at approximately 92,000 people last year. Poe said 1995 was a profitable year.

Board officers were recently elected, including Sam Below, president; Poe, vice president; Chris Weiss, treasurer; Marilyn Schott, secretary; and Ed Kaiser, property custodian.

The board is working on scheduling entertainment for the fair, which will run Sept. 8-14, he said.

"We're working on the free show attractions," he said. "Entertainment is probably the one thing we work hardest on this time of year, to do our shopping and get the best mix for our money."

Headlining acts at the 1995 fair were Aaron Tippin, Holly Dunn and Ricky Van Shelton. "They all three did very well for us," Poe said.

The fair board is also working on capital improvements to help improve drainage in the carnival area, he said. "We'll get started on those this spring," he said.

In addition, board members have started working on entries and classifications for livestock exhibits and competitions, Poe said.