Let the fair fun begin

The 159th annual SEMO District Fair is just days away. The annual eight-day event kicks off Saturday, and the lineup of entertainment and activities promises to provide many opportunities for family fun.

This year the parade will be held on Saturday. This is a welcome change, allowing more people to enjoy it and lessening traffic on Kingshighway and Broadway on Monday evening -- when the parade was held in past years. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Capaha Park and proceeds to the Arena Park fairgrounds.

The week is full of activities, ranging from barrel racing and a demolition derby to pageants and contests and several nights of musical performances.

The music acts held at the grandstand include contemporary Christian artist Jeremy Camp on Tuesday, Heartland Idol on Wednesday, Grand Funk Railroad on Thursday, country music singer Chris Janson on Friday and country singer Clay Walker on Saturday.

There are many other activities worth consideration. You can read about these on semissourian.com, the Southeast Missourian and semoevents.com.

Watch for the Southeast Missourian's coverage of fair next week, including photo galleries on semissourian.com.

We hope you enjoy all the fun ahead at the fair.