76th Cotton Carnival kicks off Tuesday

SIKESTON — In a year like no other, one tradition that will remain the same in 2020 is the annual Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival, which gets underway Tuesday.

Now in its 76th year, the carnival, which is organized by Sikeston’s Henry Meldrum Post No. 114 of the American Legion, will run through Saturday at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds.

This year’s event, which is the Legion’s largest fundraiser, will include more spacing to allow for social distancing, and hand sanitizers will be set up throughout the grounds, according to Jim Walton, commander of the Sikeston American Legion.

“Vendors are asked to wear masks when facing customers, and we encourage everyone to wear a mask, be responsible and try to social distance,” Walton said.

Justin Hoots, First Vice Commander of Sikeston American Legion Post and carnival parade chairman, said the Legion thought long and hard before continuing with the carnival this year.

“We were debating on it because of everything going on and we wanted to see how the rodeo went over, and it went pretty well. We didn’t really didn’t see a rise in numbers in our area afterward,” Hoots said.

Walton agreed.

“The rodeo basically exceeded its expectations and we hope to do the same. The carnival is an open-air event, and that’s working in our favor. It looks like the weather might be pretty good, too,” Walton said.

A lot of planning has gone into this year’s carnival, he said.

“We have been trying to put all the things in place we can think of that are doable so we can still safely have the carnival,” Walton said. “I’m real excited about it. … I’m just ready to have a good time.”

The midway has been expanded this year to space out rides and also include more rides, he said.

“We’ve negotiated a better price on our rides for the Cotton Carnival and coupons will be $1 each this year,” Walton said.

Tinsley’s Amusements — the longtime ride vendor for the Carnival — was unable to make the event this year, but instead connected the Legion with another vendor it works with, PBJ Happy Days.

Walton said PBJ has been working several shows during the pandemic and has a plan in place to practice safety.

“He’s worked out his procedure for the line and it will be single-file,” Walton said of PBJ’s representative. “They’re using hand sanitizer and cleaning and doing all the things they need to be doing in the environment, and after each of the shows they’ve done, there wasn’t a spike in COVID cases two weeks following.”

Rides for a variety of ages open at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at noon Saturday. Wristbands for the carnival rides will be offered Tuesday, Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday for $25. On Wednesday night all rides are one ticket, which cost $1. Walton noted those same coupons purchased on Wednesday night will be good for the rest of the week.

Pageants begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday with the Little Mister and Miss Cotton Carnival contests on the Cotton Carnival stage on the midway.

The competition for Junior Miss Sikeston for Sikeston High School freshmen only will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The Miss Cotton Carnival contest, which is open to all area females in grades 9-12 and Sikeston High School sophomores and juniors, will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Miss Sikeston Pageant which features Sikeston High School senior females will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Due to COVID-19, contestants are limited to one person backstage and that person cannot go on-stage and return backstage during the pageants, Walton said. Those involved will also be wearing masks and taking temperatures as precautions, he said.

Food and rides are also what draw people to the carnival year after year — especially the Legion stand’s fish sandwiches.

The Legion’s fish sandwiches and hamburgers will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and about 5 p.m. to close Tuesday through Friday and from about noon until close Saturday.

During regular midway hours of 5 p.m. to close Tuesday through Friday and noon until close Saturday, the Sons of the American Legion will serve french fries, barbecue sandwiches, hot wings, chili cheese fries. The Shriners and Ladies Auxiliary also offer other tasty foods for carnival goers. There is also a new food vendor this year, Walton said.

The Cotton Carnival wouldn’t be complete without its parade, which is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 3. This year’s theme is “A Salute to the Stars and Stripes Newspapers.” Max D. Lederer Jr., publisher of the “Stars and Stripes,” will serve as the parade marshal and retired United States Marine Corps Captain and actor Dale Dye will serve as a special guest.

“This year we’re allowing side-by-sides in the parade. We really appreciate them be decorated with the patriotic theme,” Walton said.

Also, currently eight local high school bands are set to participate in the parade: Sikeston, Bernie, Bloomfield, New Madrid County Central, Richland, Kelly, Charleston and Puxico.

“If people are going to be in the parade, the idea is get staged early,” Hoots said.

The Jaycees will help stage people on the streets, he said.

“Everyone should be safe,” Walton said. “Use common sense in the parade. Try to keep your distance. They did good with the rodeo parade. If someone is passing out a brochure or candy, they must wear a mask and gloves and should not go into the crowd.”

When individuals or groups bring out their floats, they do not need to do anything in advance, but when they arrive, they do need to get a form and fill it out so their float can be numbered for the contest, Walton said.

Parking and admission to the carnival are once again free, and this year the Miner Fire Department will take care of parking for the Legion, Walton said.

Hoots noted there will be no parking on the north side of the carnival this year.

Walton thanked the Sikeston Jaycees for the use of the rodeo grounds, and local police and first responders for their presence throughout the five-day event.

“It’s their presence that makes people feel secure and safe and we appreciate what they do,” Walton said. “… There are a lot of people who help bring this together — the Jaycees, public safety, all of our Legion family members — a lot of people, the city of Sikeston and the health department, so there has been a lot of cooperation,” Walton said.

Now that Cotton Carnival week has arrived, both Walton and Hoots said they’re ready to enjoy it themselves — and for the community to enjoy it, practicing safety measures and using common sense, of course.

“The Cotton Carnival is a legacy I’m glad to see Sikeston is carrying on,” Walton said. “This is one of the best events and a homecoming for folks coming back into Sikeston. I’m happy we’re able to pull it off so people will come back and continue to do their homecomings here.”

Hoots said the carnival is meant to provide entertainment for Sikeston and the surrounding communities, but it’s also a fundraiser that helps the community.

“It’s a tradition,” Hoots said. “Every year it’s a way to connect the public and then give back to the public.”