TAKE ME OUT TO THE FAIR: SEMO DISTRICT FAIR KICKS OFF SEVEN DAYS OF FESTIVITIES TODAY

Bob Hughes of Coglizer-Smith Tent & Awnings, Joplin, raised one of the tents that will cover the SEMO Pork Producers food stand at the SEMO District Fair.

Polly Johns straightened stuffed animals at Johns' concessions at Arena Park to get ready for the SEMO District Fair. The Johns have been in the concessions business for four generations.

FAIR FACTS

The 142nd SEMO District Fair is held at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau

Today: Admission is free.

Monday: Free gate admission until 1 p.m.

Admission: $2 for adults and children 12 and older. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Parking: $2, charged after 11 a.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Trams: Free transportation from parking lots to admission gates today and saturday after 1 p.m. and after 4 p.m. on weekdays.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Sunday

Pet parade, 1 p.m.

Horse Show, 1:30 p.m., free.

Good Life Gospel Sing, 2 p.m., free.

SEMO Fair Pageant, 3 p.m.

The Circus, 2 and 4 p.m., free.

Midway Special, $10 bands noon to 6 p.m.

Monday

Grandstand Entertainment: Demolition Derby, 7:30 p.m.

Parade from Capaha Park to fairgrounds, 5:30 p.m.

All 4-H entries in the Exhibit Hall will be judged.

The Circus, 7:30 p.m., free.

Smile Contest, 7 p.m.

May Greene Elementary School jump rope team, 7:45 p.m.

Tuesday

Grandstand Entertainment: Tractor Pull, 7 p.m.

Livestock arrival day.

Baby Girl Contest, 5 p.m.

The Circus, 7:30 p.m., free.

Midway Special: $10 bands 5 to 11 p.m.

Wednesday

Grandstand Entertainment: Truck Pull, 7:30 p.m.

Southeast Missouri Hospital Activities for the Senior Set, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Baby Boy Contest, 5 p.m.

The Circus, 7:30 p.m., free.

Midway Special: $10 bands 5 to 11 p.m.

Thursday

Grandstand entertainment: Buffalo Club and Mila Mason, 8 p.m.

4-H/FFA tractor rodeo, noon

4-H/FFA Livestock sale of market steers, lambs and barrows, 4:30 p.m.

The Circus, 7:30 p.m., free.

Professional wrestling, 7:30 p.m., free.

Friday

Grandstand Entertainment: Sweethearts of the Rodeo and The Statler Brothers, 8 p.m.

Southeast Missouri Hospital activites for youth, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Circus, 5 and 7:30 p.m., free.

Cape Gymnastics Center performance, 5 p.m.

Blue Bird Stompers square dancing, 6:30 p.m.

Midway Special: Tiny Tots $5 band for kiddie rides, 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday

Grandstand Entertainment: David Kersh and David Lee Murphy, 8 p.m.

The Circus, 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Fiddler's Contest, 2 p.m.

Antique tractor pull, 8 a.m., free.

R.B. Rice recipe contest, 10 a.m.

Parade of Livestock Champions, 10:30 a.m.

Kid's Quarter scramble, 11:30 a.m., free.

Poultry and rabbit dress-up contest, 1 p.m.

Ag story adventure, search livestock area for answers about agricutlure, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Pedal Tractor Pull, 4 p.m.

County and Western couples dancing and line dancing, 4:30 p.m.

Free at the fair

Exhibition Hall, open 9 a.m. daily.

Conservation Building fish and wild game displays.

Livestock exhibits.

4-H and FFA exhibits.

Co-op's baby farm animals.

Antique tractor display.

U.S. Army Chinook helicopter, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Anheuser-Busch Motor Sports Pavilion, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.