Seventy-six trombones led the big parade
With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand.
They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos
The cream of ev'ry famous band.

Trombones, and cornets and drums and piccalos and more will be marching on Stoddard Street in Downtown Dexter soon, as the Annual Stoddard County Fair kicks off with bands and floats and good times.

The parade will start Fair Week on Tuesday, Sept. 20 with the winners of last year’s Band Competition – the Advance High School Band - leading the way.

This year’s parade will include three categories for floats – Commercial, School, and Churches & Others. There will be three prizes in each division of $150, $100 and $50.

Groups wishing to enter a float in this year’s parade need to register their float by contacting the Dexter Chamber of Commerce at 1-573-624-7458 or toll-free at 1-800-332-8857.

According the Chamber Executive Director Janet Coleman groups do need to preregister for the parade, and they will in turn receive a map of where they should report in parade line-up and additional information concerning the parade.

“We take registrations right up to the day before the parade,” she said.

Coleman said that three judges from outside Stoddard County will evaluate and chose the winners for the Band Competition.

“Each band receives a recording from each judge evaluating their performance in the parade,” Coleman said. In addition, the band directors receive a written evaluation from the judging team.

The winner of the 2011 parade competition will lead the 2012 parade, she explained. The 2010 winner was Advance, with second place going to the Puxico Rhythm Steppers, and third to the Bernie Mules Band.

“As the host band, the Dexter Marching Bearcat Band asks that it not be included in the competition,” Coleman said. “They want to be gracious hosts to their fellow musicians in the county.”

The annual parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Downtown Dexter.

Following the parade, the Stoddard County Fair Queen’s Contets will be held in Arena B at the Fairgrounds. Also on Tuesday evening, there will be Chicken Catching and Youth Games in Arena A and at 7:30 p.m. Anna Catherine DeHart will be in concert on the Midway.

Photo Above: The Bell City Band was one of many bands to participate in the 2010 Stoddard County Fair Parade. This year's parade will bgin at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20.-

Local Links Of Interest

Stoddard County Fair

Dexter Chamber of Commerce