County Fair underway

Up, Up, and Away! Noreen Hyslop photo The kiddie ferris wheel is always a big draw for youngsters at the Stoddard County Fair and Tuesday night was no exception. Friends Madilyn Asher and Baylor Sceseink from Bell City share a moment high in the sky overlooking the lights on the midway below. .

Although skies threatened showers early Tuesday, the clouds parted and temperatures in the 70s made for an ideal setting for Fair Week kickoff.

In memory of Sam Huey, Sr., who for decades headed up efforts within the Stoddard County Fair Board, the Extension Service and County 4-H, his wife, Irene Huey, led the parade down Stoddard Street. Members of the Advance High School Band, winners of the 2008 Band Competition, followed close behind.

There were tiny queens and teen queens and little kings and infant royalty. There were commercial floats and church floats and school club's and organization's floats, trucks and tractors and of course, local fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles, with horses bringing up the rear.

Judges perched high above Stoddard Street selected three winners in each float category. Taking first place in the Commercial category was Missouri Southern Healthcare.

Second place in the Commercial category went to Young GMAC Realty, and Central Gardens earned third place honors.

In the School category, Bloomfield FFA won first place, with Advance FFA placing second and Dexter's FFA float placing third.

In the category of Churches and Other, first place honors went to First Baptist Church of Dexter. Bloomfield Assembly took second place honors and the Junior Eagles float placed third.

In each float category, cash prizes of $150, $100, and $50 were presented.

In the 2009 School Band Competition, the Puxico Rhythm Steppers took first place honors. Second place went to the Advance High School Band and Richland High School took third. The winning school band from each fair parade leads the following year's parade.

At the Queen's Contest following the parade at the fairgrounds, 15 year-old Miranda Warner was crowned Miss Stoddard County Fair. She is the daughter of Jenni Hoffmann and Adam Warner. First alternate was Lauren Blair, 16, from Essex, daughter of Jeff Blair and Cathyrn Bien. Second alternate was Courtni Burns, 16, from Puxico, the daughter of Jackie and Teresa Burns.