SEMO fair's advantages make week successful

Another SEMO District Fair has come and gone, and according to organizers the 149th version of the fair was an all-around success.

"It has been going very well," said fair board president Pete Poe on Saturday. "Yesterday was especially good. We had about 18,000 people, the Sammy Kershaw concert was very well-attended and the midway was busy up until closing. Friday traditionally is our busiest day, and this yesterday did not disappoint."

This year, 97,665 people attended the district fair over the eight days it made its home in Arena Park. Last year the number was closer to 95,000.

Poe was also happy with the number of people using the fair parking lots instead of private lots and property, which he said was the result of the free parking the fair had this year.

He said the Hawthorne Street lot, about 25 acres in size, was filled all the way on Friday, and by 10 a.m. Saturday, the Kingsway Drive lot was full.

"More people are parking on the fair lots, which was our intention," Poe said.

One thing the fair board had no control over is the weather, but it was not a problem this year as even some early-morning rain on Tuesday stopped before the fair gates opened.

"The weather has just been perfect," Poe said. "There's been a cool front to the west and hurricanes to the east, and we've been right here between them in a beautiful weather alley."

Saturday was another warm, rain-free day, and Arena Park was busy with fairgoers getting in one more day of rides, funnel cakes and other assorted fair fun.

Christine Sirrine made her second trip to the fair Saturday with her 8-year-old son, Jeffrey.

"We came last night," Sirrine said. "Jeff wanted to come again and so did I."

Sirrine, who moved to Jackson from Colorado a month ago, said she was impressed by the district fair.

"I liked the fact that it was more family-orientated," she said. Sirrine also said she thought the fair grounds were very well-kept.

One of the family acts that impressed Sirrine was the Wild World of Animals show, which was new to the fair this year. The show mixed educational material with humor, and it featured appearances by a leopard, parrot, monkey, alligator, python, owl and binturong, which is a catlike carnivore.

"It went really well," said the show's creator, Grant Kemmerer. "There were big crowds and a good response to the show. Everyone seemed entertained."

The Wild World of Animals show was one of three free entertainment options the fair offered this year. The others were Grampa Cratchet's Puppet Show and variety entertainer Carrie McQueen, a stilt-walking juggler who strolled the fairgrounds every day.

"We try to mix it up by having some acts that are unique," said fair board member Cameron Mitchell. He said this year's acts have been well-received.

"People have seen some things they're not going to see anywhere but at the fair," Mitchell said.

Although this year's district fair might have just ended, plans for the 150th SEMO District Fair are underway.

Poe said the fair board started talking about the 150th district fair in January and already have about three pages of brainstorming ideas that they will consider.

"We'd like to think it'd be extra-special," Poe said.

Cleaning up

But today, it's time for the less-glamorous task of cleaning up Arena Park.

"We'll start early in the morning," Poe said.

Part of the fair's deconstruction takes place even before that. Workers from Astro Amusements started taking down the rides, scheduled to be in Alabama on Monday, as soon as the fairgrounds closed.

"By [Sunday] evening, we'll be about 90 percent done, gone and put away," Poe said.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182