TICKET SALES BRISK FOR FAIR ENTERTAINMENT

Kay Davidson of Cape Girardeau loves Willie Nelson.

She's not alone.

Dozens of people lined up early Wednesday morning to get first choice of seats for Willie Nelson's concert at the SEMO District Fair. He performs Sept. 17.

The 143th annual fair runs Sept. 13 to 19 in Cape Girardeau's Arena Park.

Tickets went on sale at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, but people lined up as early as 1 a.m. to get the best seats.

Davidson arrived around 7 a.m. "A friend and I saw him about 20 years ago," she said. "I thought it would be fun to see him again. I'm taking the whole family. You know, I hate country music, but I love Willie."

Howard Cole of Sikeston stood in line because he wanted good seats. "I wanted to get as close as we can get," he said. "He's a farmer and knows about farmers."

Jane Henrichsen of Cape Girardeau said, "He's an old-timer and been up through the ranks."

Fred Moyers of Mounds, Ill., feels an affinity to Nelson. "He and I are the same age. We've both had our ups and downs." Moyers also plays country music: a fiddle and a little guitar.

Not everyone in line was waiting for Willie tickets. Kenny Chesney performs Sept. 15, and Lonestar with Brad Hawkins is scheduled Sept. 16.

Heather Hobeck of Millersville and Erin Sides and Angelica Sides of Jackson wanted good seats for Chesney's performance, so they arrived early.

"He sings our favorite song," Hobeck said. "We want to get front-row seats."

The girls confided that they want to be close to the stage because they find Chesney "very good looking."

Pete Poe with the fair said ticket sales Wednesday were strong throughout the day. "This is probably our best single opening day as far as ticket sales," he said.

Over 2,500 tickets were sold.

The line for tickets remained 70 to 80 people deep through noon. Sales were steady through the afternoon.

"We're real pleased," Poe said.

Plenty of seats remain for all three nights. In addition, tickets are on sale for the demolition derby, tractor pull and truck pull during fair week.

To order tickets, call (573) 334-9250.