Show Me Center to hit 6 million attendance tonight

The Show Me Center is expected to welcome the 6 millionth visitor tonight.

Director David Ross said 5,999,498 people have passed through the doors of the facility located at 1333 N. Sprigg St. A crowd of more than 800 is expected to attend a Southeast Missouri Hospital dinner tonight.

"We're pretty excited about reaching this milestone," said Ross, who has been director of the Show Me Center since it opened on Aug. 20, 1987. "It's like having a birthday."

The building has hosted more than 8,300 events. Ross said that about 225,000 to 275,000 people attend functions at the Show Me Center each year.

Since it opened nearly 22 years ago the Show Me Center has hosted such sporting events as Southeast Missouri State University basketball games, the NCAA Division II women's basketball Final Four and the recent Sikeston-Scott County Central high school basketball game. The facility has also been the setting for concerts including Garth Brooks and Tina Turner and political gatherings such as President Ronald Reagan and Alaska Gov. Sara Palin rallies.

Its 1 millionth visitor was Ken Hotop of Jackson, who attended a Southeast men's basketball game on Feb. 17, 1990. Nothing is planned at the moment for the 6 millionth visitor.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St.