Summerfest brings community together

The 31st annual Scott City Summerfest kicked off Friday night with the opening of the fair grounds and several pageants.

Scott City Parks department director Phyllis Crump of Cape Girardeau said the two-day, mid-summer carnival in Scott City Park is an important event for community development.

"I think it brings all the people together, not only the businesses but the organizations, and shows that the community is trying to provide something for the youth here in town," Crump said. "We want people to see that they can move here and start a family, and I think people see how close-knit we are and how everyone comes together to make this a success."

Scott City native Toni Finn of the Scott City Historical Preservation Commission, which has sponsored the Summerfest pageants since they began five years ago, said the Friday contests are a big part of the carnival's success.

"I think they help bring out the crowd," Finn said. "People love to see the babies and what they are going to do, and really I think they are a big drawing card for the festival. We're just proud to put it together."

The baby pageant, featuring four boys and five girls, was the early favorite of festivalgoers, despite the presence of carnival rides and several games.

Baby pageant queen Olivia Graff and her mother Kaleigh Graff of Scott City enjoyed the festival, with Olivia beating out four other baby girls for the crown.

"I thought she could win, but I didn't know for sure she had won," Kaleigh Graff said. "I think it was because she was the one that laughed."

Many at the fair agreed that, big or small, Summerfest is a great experience.

"It's a fun environment," said Donna Gentry of Leopold. "This is a much smaller version of the Cape Girardeau fair, but this is nice for the kids. Every little town needs something for the kids."

"It's a good chance for everybody to get together and actually socialize outside of normal, everyday work," said Janice Gillian of Cape Girardeau. "I've been before, and it's a good festival that's good for Scott City."

Crump said that Summerfest is improving every year, and should continue to do so.

"This is only the second year we've had carnival rides, but we still managed to stay together and come together every year to sponsor the carnival for the town, and now it seems like it's just growing and getting bigger and bigger."

A washer contest, in which contestants attempt to toss the small, doughnut-shaped washers two holes 20 feet apart, and karaoke contest were featured Friday along with the pageants.

Today's events include a parade down Main Street starting at 3:30 p.m., talent shows beginning at 5 p.m. and local band MOJO Filter on the Rodney Holloway Memorial stage at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks close out the festivities at 10 p.m.

jsamons@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245