SEMO FAIR ENDS, SETS RECORD FOR ATTENDANCE

Activity finally began to slow Saturday as the 144th annual SEMO Missouri District Fair came to a close.

Tired vendors offered "deals" on the last of the food items, mothers carted sleepy children home and fans of Waylon Jennings hummed familiar tunes as they exited the park.

For employees of Astro Amusements, however, the time had come to haul out the wrenches and dismantle the rides. By early Sunday morning, Astro trucks could be seen making their way down Interstate 55.

"They (Astro Amusements) were ecstatic," said Pete Poe, SEMO District Fair Association president. "This was their best year since they've been with us."

A record 100,190 people attended this year's fair.

Phil Nelson and Dona Kirtley of Paw Paw's Corn on the Cob were newcomers to the fair this year. The two from Billings were glad they decided to come.

"Everyone is so nice here," said Kirtley. Nelson said they'd definitely be back next year.

"Everything we do is hot," said Kirtley, so they were thankful for the wonderful weather. They celebrated the end of the fair by taking the 90-foot drop Saturday night.

They also helped support the fair association by purchasing a chain-saw carved ear of corn at the Robinson Carving Co. auction.

"The auction brought in about $5,000," said Poe. After expenses, the remainder goes to the fair association.

"Most people had never bought a chain-saw carving before and the Robinsons weren't sure what people would want," he added.

Poe wasn't surprised the corn went to Nelson. Fabick Brothers Equipment Co. purchased the dozer, and the cigar-store Indian went to Tobacco Lane.

Robinsons and the auction are scheduled to return next year.

Cleaning crews were on hand at 7 a.m. Sunday to help put the park back in order.

One of the main focuses of attention was the Arena Building. Partitions were being dismantled, and grounds were being cleaned so the area would be in order for tonight's Kiwanis bingo game.

Judy Graham was busy using a leaf blower to clean the Arena Building parking area.

She has volunteered for about 10 years.

"I just like helping out," she said.

Luckily for the fair association so do the other 200 or so volunteers it takes to help make the fair run smoothly.

"Many of our people are second and third generation volunteers," said Poe. "We have a very diverse group."

Pest control technicians, bankers, farmers, auto-body workers, carpenters, electricians, retirees and even a man who makes prosthetic devices, volunteer their services.

"If something needs doing, all we have to do is look around the corner and there's someone who can handle the job," said Poe.

Sunday the volunteers were busy taking down signs, removing fences, moving the bleachers, storing equipment and emptying trash.

"We went through 13,000 trash bags," said Red Welker, Mr. Food. It was Welker's job to make sure the volunteers were fed.

Every detail is covered. A special set of dumpsters are provided just for the grease from the stands, so the grounds are not damaged.

Volunteer groups handled the parking as fund raisers for their organizations.

Fabick Brothers lent the heavy equipment needed, and portable lighting was provided by Tower Rock Stone Co. of Scott City.

Except for the occasional "treasure hunter" out with a metal detector and the remains of a balloon stuck in a tree, memories are all that remains of the last SEMO District Fair of the century.

The fair board has begun making plans for next year's fair, which Poe says will be bigger and better.