WELCOME TO THE 144TH SEMO DISTRICT FAIR

Nathan Fridley, age 4, says his favorite parts of the SEMO District Fair are the pony rides and fair food like hot dogs and hamburgers.

His mother, Stephanie Fridley, who could see fair preparations going on as she looked after her children at an Arena Park playground on Thursday, said she likes the animal exhibits.

Other people may be attracted to the fair by the midway rides or the entertainment, which this year includes concerts by Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus and Waylon Jennings, or demonstrations of skill or daring, or the exhibits.

There's something for just about everyone at the fair, which opens today at Cape Girardeau's Arena Park, said Pete Poe, president of the Southeast Missouri District Fair Association. The fair will continue daily through Saturday.

Many people will check out the fair today when there is no gate admission charge. On other days admission is $2 a person. Parking on all days is $2.

Activities today include a 1 p.m. pet parade, where Poe said entries generally range from a child carrying a turtle to rabbits in dresses and cats in bonnets; a 1:30 p.m. horse show, which should have more than 125 entries; a 2 p.m. Good Life Gospel Sing; and the SEMO Fair Pageant at 3 p.m.

The midway also opens today. Astro Amusements will return to the fair for the seventh year with rides ranging from those for young children to thrill rides "that will shake you up," Poe said.

Arm bands, which offer unlimited rides for the date of purchase, will be sold from noon to 6 p.m. today and 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. On Friday, a $6 band for kiddie rides only will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m.

The fair's free attractions also begin today. New this year are the Robinson Carving Company, a family of Missouri natives who carve wood with chain saws, and the Fearless Flores, performers of aerial stunts, including a cage of death motorcycle act. Both shows offer several performances each day of the fair.

Other free attractions offered each day:

The Dromedary Hitch. Eight camels are hitched to a wagon, which may not sound like a big deal unless you know camels. "Getting camels to walk together is a trick," Poe said. "Seeing them with all their regalia and harnesses is impressive." Camel rides also will be offered.

Exotic animal petting zoo. Get up close and personal with animals like a giraffe, kangaroo, buffalo, llama and a 152-year-old, 600-pound tortoise.

Farmer for a Day. Where you can gather eggs and pick apples.

Displays and exhibits. Look for antique tractors, booths from businesses, fish and game display, 4-H and FFA exhibits and baby farm animals. Animals will be judged and exhibited Tuesday through Saturday.

On Monday, the fair parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Capaha Park, following a route on Broadway to Kingshighway and left on Kiwanis Drive into Arena Park. Poe said he expects around 135 entries in the parade, including 16 marching bands, commercial floats, farm equipment and horses.

On Tuesday, the YELL Foundation will bury a time capsule at a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m. at the flagpole near the Arena Building.

Perhaps one of the biggest draws of the fair is the entertainment. The big name entertainers are due the last three nights of the fair. Thursday's performer is singer-songwriter Terri Clark, whose hits include "Every Time I Cry" and "You're Easy on the Eyes." On Friday, "Achy Breaky" man Billy Ray Cyrus will step up to the microphone singing such hits as "Could've Been Me" and "In the Heart of a Woman." Saturday's concert features Waylon Jennings, whose hits include "Good Hearted Woman" and "Ladies Love Outlaws."

Each of those shows begins at 8 p.m., and tickets cost $17.50 or $15. Advance ticket sales for all three concerts have been good, Poe said, but there are still good seats available.

In addition, there will be music every night of the fair from regional performers, including the Manitou Band Monday night, Classy Chassy Country Thursday night and the Desert Rain Band Saturday night.

For those who like the action loud and with plenty of horsepower, there will be a demolition derby on Monday, tractor pull on Tuesday and truck pull on Wednesday. The events begin at 7:30 p.m. each night, with admission $8.

Poe said all 80 slots for the demolition derby have been filled. Entries for the tractor and truck pulls were still coming in, but Poe said he expects about 25 entries for the tractor pull and more than 50 for the truck pull.

SCHEDULE OF FAIR ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY1 p.m. - Pet parade1:30 p.m. - Horse show 2 p.m. - Gospel singing 3 p.m. - Fair pageant MONDAY5:30 p.m. - Parade6 p.m. - Manitou Band7:30 p.m. - Demolition derbyTUESDAYLivestock arrival day5:30 p.m. - Baby girls contest6 p.m. - Time capsule ceremony7 p.m. - Tractor pullWEDNESDAY10 a.m. - Senior activities1 p.m. - Senior hitch challenge2 p.m. - All Stars Band5:30 p.m. - Baby boys contest7 p.m. - Truck pullTHURSDAYNoon - Tractor rodeo4: 30 p.m. - Livestock sale6 p.m. - Classy Chassy Country8 p.m. - Terri ClarkFRIDAY10 a.m. - Youth activities5 p.m. - Gymnastics6:15 p.m. - Smile contest6:30 p.m. - Saw contest7 p.m. - Square dancers8 p.m. - Billy Ray CyrusSATURDAY8 a.m. - Antique tractor pull8:30 a.m. - Public speaking contest10 a.m. - Recipe contest10:30 a.m. - Livestock parade11:30 a.m. - Quarter scramble1 p.m. - Poultry and rabbit dress-up contest2 p.m. - Fiddlers contest2 p.m. - Pee wee showmanship3 p.m. - Ag adventure4 p.m. - Pedal tractor pull4:30 p.m. - Country and western dancing6 p.m. - Desert Rain Band8 p.m. - Waylon JenningsParking: $2Fair admission: Adults and children 12 and older -- $2Under 12 -- FreeRide arm bands:Friday -- $6 for kiddie ridesSunday, Tuesday and Wednesday -- $12 for midway rides