PLAN YOUR VISIT
ARE YOU READY
FOR FUN AT THE FAIR?
The SEMO District Fair offers fun for everyone, whether you’re cruising in with an SUV full of excited kiddos or if you’re rolling in with a livestock trailer and a showbox full of tools.
From the food to the rides to the midway to the show ring, the SEMO District Fair has a wide appeal, and “There’s No Time Like Fair Time!”
SECURITY POLICY
In cooperation with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the SEMO District Fair is stepping up security this year to help ensure the safety of our fairgoers. We are choosing to increase security out of an abundance of caution. As fair planners, it’s our job to work with law enforcement to help keep people safe for a positive experience at the fair. For the first time in its history, fairgoers may be scanned by metal detecting devices before entering the Fairgrounds. There will be metal detecting devices at the entry gates.
Weapons of any kind are prohibited on the Fair Grounds including concealed weapons. Security scanning will reveal these weapons. You will not be allowed on the fairgrounds while in possessionof prohibited items.
As you plan your visit, you may want to arrive a little earlier as it might take a bit longer than usual to get in to the fair grounds.
Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
ATTRACTIONS
DAILY EVENTS
The fair offers a stack of great FREE events and activities to check out all week long, including daily events in the Activities Tent. For a full list of each day’s public events, be sure to check out our Daily Events page. Keep an eye out on media for our ad which will list the schedule, too!
The agricultural part of the fair is a big part of everything, and we encourage you to come and watch these hardworking farmers show their best animals and crops for the judges, in addition to walking through the barns and viewing the animals.
Several entertainers can be found wandering around the fairgrounds, putting on short shows of magic and more. Take a sec to stop and check them out!
CONCERTS
Our grandstand has been the centerpiece of the fair’s live entertainment over the years, featuring nationally touring artists from many different genres. This year’s grandstand entertainment will not disappoint! The grandstand is an outdoor venue, facing East and is partially covered in the stands. Tickets are available online and at the box office (located at the Arena Building on the south side and open 9a – 3p M-F).
This year’s live music includes national Christian artists Cain, sponsored by KHIS Radio 89.9/107.9., performing on Tuesday evening starting at 7. Wednesday, authentic country artists The Steel Woods and Casey Donahew will take the stage beginning at 7:00 pm. The live music segment of the grandstand entertainment will conclude with some fantastic music from Blues Traveler on Thursday night at 7. Get a taste of everything here!
Monday evening sees the Heartland Idol competition FINALS on the Grandstand stage, featuring some VERY talented regional artists who have competed for this shot to perform. Preliminary rounds are going on NOW, and you can catch the performance dates and times at www.k103fm.com. Stay tuned here and at www.riverradiocares.com for details!
In addition to the live music at the grandstand, the Activities Tent will feature several regional and local artists performing throughout the week and some fun games and competitions, as well. Have a taste of some local/regional flavor. These concerts are included in your gate admission!
TRUCK AND TRACTOR PULL & DEMO DERBY
The stands are always packed for these exciting events. Get ready for big engines, big noise and big fun as these machines take to the track to try and move that sled. Saturday morning, we feature the Antique Tractor Pull, where you can see these old workhorses have a little fun in the dirt, too. The Demo derby, another favorite, pits local and regional racers against each other in a battle to the finish, and this year is on both Saturday the 9th and the 16th! Pick a favorite and root them to victory!
PAGEANTS, CONTESTS & MORE
Mother/daughter & Father/son look-alike contests, Bingo, the SEMO Fair Pageant and more await you all week long. You can learn more on our Schedule of Events page.
CARNIVAL
Miller Spectacular Shows brings the thrill of rides and midway attractions all week long. Whether you dare to ride the more challenging rides or are more comfortable watching them from below, the carnival and midway area offers the classic sights and sound of the fair. There are rides for the kids and the big kids, and with armband specials going on during the week, you’ve got a chance to bring the whole crew and still save some $$$. You can also purchase your armbands early online to save even more. Learn all about the carnival specials on our carnival information page!
AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER EXHIBITS
We have a fantastic array of top-grade animals, crops and other exhibits in our agricultural area. Read more on our ag exhibits here.
Don’t forget to cruise through the 4H building and the Arena Building to check out the many exhibits from youth and adults in the region. Stunning photography, tantalizing desserts, unique art items and much, much more are waiting! Interested in entering something? Read more on the Exhibitors page.
THAT FAIR FOOD...
Fried Oreos, turkey legs, spiral potatoes, funnel cakes, corn dogs, gyros… Getting hungry yet? The SEMO Fair food vendors bring it all to the table when it comes to the variety all week long. Take a stroll, find something you love and order two of those, and then… Well, we’ll let you work out the diet plans, but be sure to come hungry and dig in. Keep an eye on Two for Tuesday, where participating food vendors offer a 2 for 1 deal on their food items!
GATE ENTRY & PARKING
The entry cost per person (12 and over) at the gate is $5, or you can purchase a weekly pass for $30. Take advantage of the Two for Tuesday special, where two can enter for $5, or catch Thrifty Thursday for a discounted entry of $3.
The fairgrounds are surrounded with several free general public parking areas. For details on where to park, take a look at our Fairground Map that lays out all of the parking and more.
NO ADMITTANCE OR RE-ADMITTANCE AFTER 10:00 PM.
We have Tram service available. The tram follows a route through the free parking lots and will pick you and yours up and bring you right to the entry gate. The Tram service is free, and the schedule is as follows:
- Saturday Sept 9 – 3:00pm – 10pm
- Sunday Sept 10 – 1:00pm – 6pm
- Monday Sept 11 – 4:30pm – 10pm
- Tuesday Sept 12 – 4:30pm – 10pm
- Wednesday Sept 13 – 4:30pm – 10pm
- Thursday Sept 14 – 4:30pm – 10pm
- Friday Sept 15 – 4pm – 10pm
- Saturday Sept 16 – 4pm – 10pm
Have questions? Take a walk around the website, and if you need us, just fill out the Contact Form and we’ll be in touch. We can’t wait to see YOU at the fair in September!
