Stoddard County Fair set to return in September

By JOSH AYERS

Dexter Statesman

The Stoddard County Fair is returning in September after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. This year will mark the 94th edition of the fair. The fair will take place Sept. 21 to 25 at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds.

The fair will open with the traditional Stoddard County Fair Parade in Downtown Dexter. Stoddard County Fair Board Chairman Henry Kestner said anyone interested in entering a float or being a parade entry should contact the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.

Kestner said the entertainment lined up for this year’s fair will feature karaoke, Maggie Thorn and ground act Maritka Daniels. Vice Chairman of the Fair Board Laura Stickles said Daniels eats fire and glass and swallows swords. 

Kestner said the board has not been notified of any requirements from the state in regards to COVID-19 regulations. He did say, however, there would be hand-sanitizing stations in the restrooms and at the livestock area. He said the concession stands will be in charge of their own sanitation. He said he is sure that, Tinsley’s Amusements, the company that brings in the games and rides, will sanitize their rides and games. 

Kestner said the company has been dealing with this all year. 

“If anyone would be more comfortable wearing a mask, by all means we encourage it,” said Stickles. “But that is their choice.”

Kestner and Stickles said they are expecting the same number of rides and games that fairgoers traditionally see.

“We expect a big crowd,” said Kestner, “because we think people are going to want to get out.”

Kestner said the board has had many inquiries for booths this year and all concession stands will be back. Wristband night is scheduled for Thursday night and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Kestner and Stickles said the only thing not lined up right now is people to parks cars at the fairgrounds. Kestner said normally this is handled by students from Mingo Job Corps, along with a supervisor from the center. However, due to Mingo’s COVID-19 regulations, this may not be permitted.

Kestner said the board would figure something out prior to the fair. 

The demolition derby will also return and will be held on Saturday, the final night of the fair. 

Kestner said this year the board decided to bring in a company from Illinois, Thunder Productions, to oversee the demolition derby. Kestner said this is the same company that handles the derby event for the SEMO District Fair. Stickles explained that the board was hoping by having a vendor come in to run the demolition derby there would be a larger number of cars entered in the event. 

The Todd Woods Rodeo will be in Arena A on Friday night. This event as well as the demolition derby will require a $5 entry fee for fans.

The karaoke contest will run each night with the top three finishers each night advancing to the finals on Saturday. The winner of the karaoke contest will get to perform on stage Saturday night with Thorn.

Kestner and Stickles said the contestants entering the public speaking contest must have their speeches turned in by Sunday, Sept. 19. Speeches must be a minimum of three minutes long or a maximum of five minutes.

Megan Williams is the point of contact anyone interested in entering Stoddard County Fair Pageant. She can be contacted on the Bootheel Royals Facebook page.

Kestner said Dr. Joe Baker would be on hand Sunday, Sept. 19 to examine the livestock entries and provide health papers for the animals. The annual buyers breakfast and livestock auction will be Saturday, Sept. 25. 

2021 Stoddard County Fair Schedule

Tinsley Amusements on the midway nightly.

Gates open at 5 p.m. except Saturday, when gates open at noon and rides begin at 1 p.m.

All events start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, Sept. 19: All exhibit (except livestock} entries accepted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Fair pageants, main stage, 2 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 20: All exhibits (except livestock) judged.

Livestock entries accepted from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for large and small animals.

Tuesday, Sept. 21: Arena A, youth games, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., ages 12 and under.

Entertainment, karaoke contest (top three advance to Saturday finals), main stage, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 22: Sheep and goat judging 6 p.m.

Assembly Youth Church Service with Preston Tilley, main stage, 7 p.m. 

Thursday, Sept. 23 – Cattle and hog judging, Arena A, 6 p.m.

4-H/FFA tractor rodeo, Arena A, 7 p.m.

Entertainment, karaoke contest (top three advance to Saturday finals), main stage, 7 p.m.

Entertainment, Maritka Daniels, 7 p.m.

Wristband night, $25 (5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.).

Friday, Sept. 24 - Todd Woods Rodeo, Arena A, 7 p.m., $5 additional grandstand admission, 6 and under free.

Entertainment, karaoke contest (top three advance to Saturday finals), main stage, 7 p.m. 

Entertainment, ground act Maritka Daniels, 7 p.m. 

Saturday, Sept. 25 - Buyers Breakfast 8 a.m.

4H and FFA livestock auction, Livestock Barns, 9 a.m.

Gates open noon, $4 admission.

Wristband day, $20, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Public speech contest, 4H/FFA/open, main stage , 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Youth games, ages 12 and under, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Entertainment, karaoke contest, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Demolition derby, $5 additional grandstand admission, 6 and under free, Arena A, 7 p.m. 

Maggie Thorn, main stage, 7 p.m. Guest Singer, winner of karaoke contest.

Entertainment, ground act Martika Daniels.

Sunday, Sept. 26

Livestock checkout, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Exhibits must be picked up noon to 4 p.m.

Lights, sound and karaoke by Shane Pashia.