TRADITION KEY TO SEMO FAIR

Six-year-old Ben Mayfield held a blue balloon in his fist and clenched a Styrofoam cup between his teeth as he headed past the corn-dog stand towards the cotton candy Thursday afternoon at the SEMO District Fair.

His grandmother, Dorothy Mayfield of Jackson, said, "Grandpa's watching the beef cattle, so we're taking in the rest of the fair."

Ben explained that he has been to the fair lots of times in his six years, including twice this year. His favorite attraction is the petting zoo where he fed "goats, cows and pigs and sheep."

"We always come to the fair, always have," Dorothy Mayfield said. "I didn't want Ben to miss out."

Pete Poe of the fair board said attending the fair is an annual tradition for lots of people. "We get a real-consistent crowd, which means people are coming to the fair year after year," he said.

That tradition is part of what makes the district fair a success, Poe said.

The fair's tradition started 140 years ago when an agriculture society was formed to help farmers learn more about their vocation.

The Missouri General Assembly gave $3,000 to the society for prize money, and the fair was off and running. The Southeast Missouri District Fair was one of four district fairs established in the state. It is the only one still operating as a district fair.

Begun in 1855, the fair is the oldest outdoor event in the state. It is also the state's fourth-largest outdoor event.

Poe explained that the fair is almost entirely run by volunteers. The fair association's board of directors made a commitment to maintain a family atmosphere at the fair.

The fair board is also planning to make sure the fair is around for another 140 years. For example, Thursday's performance by Holly Dunn included a big-screen projection, a fair first.

"We're projecting down the road at the future of fair entertainment and of the fair," Poe explained. "Maybe one year in the future we'll have Garth Brooks performing via satellite. You just don't know, but we've got to be thinking about it."

In the meantime, he said, fair volunteers are working to make this year's fair fun for all who attend.

"People do look forward to coming to the fair, and we try to provide a good value for them," Poe said.

Among repeat attenders at the fair is a trio of workers at the Trinity Lutheran Church food stand.

"I look forward to it every year," said one, Glenn Sprenger.

"So do I," added Bill Siemers. The Trinity stand has operated at the same spot at the fair for more than 50 years, and Siemers said he has been at the fair every one of those years.

Sprenger said he enjoys seeing people at the fair, those he works with and the customers who return year after year.

Bud Robinson agreed: "Sometimes you see some people just once a year -- at the fair."