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The story behind the SEMO District Fair

The SEMO District Fair’s history stretches back before Ferris wheels, before cotton candy, even before the Civil War. For more than 150 years, people have flocked to Cape Girardeau to admire massive veggies and top-notch livestock, mingle with neighbors and enjoy stellar entertainment at the largest fair in the region.

The first Cape Girardeau fair happened in October 1855 on what is now South Frederick Street. Current Cape residents would not recognize the area, as it was a wooded grove known as “Bierwirth’s farm” back then. In the 19th century, the fair centered around agriculture and served an important purpose for farming-focused Southeast Missouri. It showcased agricultural techniques that helped farmers improve their skills.

A few years after the first local fair, the Civil War brought troops to Cape Girardeau and the Union Army took over the fairgrounds, using it to house soldiers. By the time the war was over, all the buildings had been destroyed. Another fair wasn’t held until 1870, at a different site near Gordonville Road and Highway 61 South.

At the turn of the 20th century, the SEMO District Fair found a more permanent home at what is now Capaha Park. There, in 1911, citizens of Cape Girardeau were introduced to airplanes, which they called “flying machines.” Posters across town proclaimed: “See Capt. Baldwin in his big red-devil machine circling the city like an eagle.”

Tom Baldwin wasn’t able to fly, so J.C. “Bud” Mars took his place for flying demonstrations twice a day. Mars faced a scare when a landing issue caused his plane to hit a fence. His injuries were not severe, and he flew the Red Devil safely for the rest of the fair.

The Great Depression ended the annual event in 1929, but a group of citizens restarted it in 1939, choosing a new location at Arena Park, which is still being used today.

The most significant construction project at the new fairgrounds was the Arena Building, now called the A.C. Brase Arena. Constructed by the Work Projects Administration, it was the largest concrete building in the Midwest at that time. A long list of stars performed there, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Metallica and Elvis. The 20-year-old King of Rock ’n’ Roll took the stage in 1955, back when his biggest hit was “That’s All Right Mama.”

Throughout the ’60s, ’70s and beyond, the SEMO District Fair was nearly the biggest event in town. Those who grew up in Cape Girardeau during those years will likely remember having time off from school to attend it. The Ferris wheel has always been a favorite attraction, offering nighttime views of Cape and its neon lights, with people walking below. For fairgoers, it’s nearly magic.

The SEMO District fair continues to grow 164 years after it first started, and Southeast Missouri loves this end-of-summer tradition. To find out what’s happening at the 2019 fair, stay tuned for the next blog post.

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