Article Submitted by
SMT Contributing Writer
Beth Farrah
The annual Stoddard County Parade will take place on Tuesday, September 18th, in downtown Dexter. The parade will kick off the Stoddard County Fair that also begins on September 18th and ends on September 22nd. There are numerous additions to both the fair and parade this year that the community will find beneficial and entertaining.
The Stoddard County Parade has many new entries, including different political floats. Just like recent years, the parade will host a marching band competition that bands across Stoddard County can participate in. The Puxico Rhythm Steppers will be leading this year’s parade after winning first place in the band competition in 2011.
The fair offers a lot of new events that will take place at 7:00pm each night (September 18th-22nd): The Robinson Chainsaw Wood Carvers, Magic Mike (a magician), and a puppet show. The fair also has new performers including two local talents and three others performers.
The Chris Welch Band will kick off this year’s entertainment on Tuesday, September 18th. The local band The Walker Brothers, gospel and country singers, will play on Wednesday night, September 19th. Six Appeal, an acappella group, will perform on Thursday night, September 20th. Rickie Lee Tanner will return to the fair this year, performing in Friday night, September 21st. Keith Morrison will perform on Saturday, September 22nd. All performances will take place at 8:00pm in the amphitheater.
Right after the parade finishes on Tuesday, there will be a Queen’s Contest for high school girls who wish to participate in the local pageant. The “Chicken Scramble” and other games for the youth will be held after the pageant. The amusement park rides and game booths will also officially open.
On Wednesday, the sheep and goats will be judged. Church services will also be held at 6:00pm in the amphitheater.
Thursday night is Bracelet Night. You can purchase this bracelet for $20 and it will allow you to ride all the carnival rides from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Thursday is another big night with three events taking place at 8:00pm: the FFA Tractor Rodeo, Six Appeal concert, and Karaoke.
Friday’s events include the Antique Tractor Pull, Karaoke, and the Robinson’s Chainsaw Wood Carvers Auction.
Saturday’s events begin bright and early at 8:00am for the 4H Buyer’s Breakfast. The 4H and FFA Livestock Auction will take place right after breakfast. The Stoddard County Youth Pageant will be held in the amphitheater at 11:00am. There are also youth events that allow kids of all ages to divide up into different teams and compete against each other in many fun games. The Wild Horse Fiddlers, a group of local musicians, will perform in the amphitheater. The Demo Derby will also take place on Saturday night. The Stoddard County Fair will end this year with a big firework show that will begin at 9:00pm on September 22nd. Tickets are currently available at Gary’s Quick Stop in Dexter.
Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this great and exciting week!
Below are pictures from last years 2011 Stoddard County Parade! See it live this year by attending.
