77th Annual Cotton Carnival

A large crowd filled the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds Tuesday night for the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Kids enjoy a ride during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Kids enjoy a ride during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

A family member takes a picture of children on the child Ferris wheel during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Kids enjoy the large slide during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

A father and son enjoy a ride during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Kids enjoy a ride during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Amelia Stafford enjoys her ride on the "horses" during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Ada Stafford enjoys a ride during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival.  (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

The sun sets over a corn field west of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds during the opening night of the 77th Annual Cotton Carnival. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)