Lots of activities slated for the Missouri Peach Fair

CAMPBELL, Mo. --Campbell is the site of the annual Missouri Peach Fair beginning Friday, July 25, and culminating Saturday, Aug. 2. The traditional start of Peach Fair week has been moved up to accommodate a change in providers of amusements for the Fair. This year, Davidson Amusements and Devices will take over the carnival responsibilities and, according to Peach Fair public relations director Tina Finder, the change was made to offer fairgoers a "nicer quality" of rides and games.

Because of the change in Fair dates, the country music concert will conclude rather than open the activities of Peach Fair Week. The concert, featuring Bryan White, will conclude the activities on Saturday, Aug. 9, since White was already booked for that date

The Miss Missouri Peach Fair Pageant will kick off the activities at 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, at the Campbell Community Building. A near record 19 contestants will compete for the title and crown. The winner is required to reign over the remainder of the activities during the week of the fair and will be eligible to compete at the Missouri State Fair Queen Pageant in Sedalia, if she meets all the qualifications for that pageant.

Aug. 9 will sizzle with the annual country concert, this year featuring Bryan White. Wills hit the charts with "Someone Else's Star," Rebecca Lynn," "So Much for Pretending" and "I'm Not Supposed to Love You Anymore." White has received the CMA's Horizon Award and the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist award and was named CMT Rising Star and Male Video Artist of the Year, TNN/Music City News Star of Tomorrow and SRO Touring Artist of the Year.

He has been involved in a host of special projects, including a duet with May Grant for "The Civil War: The Nashville sessons," a cut on "The Best of Country Sings the Best of Disney" and was cast as the singing voice for the lead male character in Warner Brothers' first fully-anmated motion picture, "Quest for Camelot." Taking time off in 2000 to marry actress Erika Page and bring sons Justin and Jackson into the world, White has recently returned to music. He has begun writing songs with some of Nashville's best and began recording agin, completing his first studio album in four years.

White will be joined onstage by talented Campbell native, Justin Heskitt, a local favorite. Since first picking up a guitar as a young boy, Heskett has continued to develop his musical talents, now expanding into writing his own music. He has participated in the Country Showdown talent competition and last year won the Missouri Peach Fair Youth Talent Show, and ultimately competing in finals at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis. He was the only country artist to place in the top 25 at the finals.

Heskit will open the show., which is set to being at 7:30 p.m. in the Campbell Community Building. White will take the stage at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now at Eze Cook Gas, Vancil's Foods, City Light and Water, and Joyce's in Campbell. Prices are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door. The doors will open for the show at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday afternoon, July 27, will highlight the little ones, as entries are accepted for judging in a baby picture contest for ages 0-4 years. Entries should be brought to the Campbell Community Building between 2 and 4 p.m. Contact Tina Finder, 573-246-3585 or Orby Willard, 573-239-2082 for more information.

Activities begin again on Tuesday, July 29, with a Youth Talent Contest in the Campbell Community Building. Two age groups of young people will be highlighted as they compete for the titles. The winner of the oldest group will compete in the talent show at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis. Those interested in participating should contact Dana Bedwell, 246-2148.

Wednesday, July 30,, will be armband night with Davidson's Amusements and Devices on the grounds of the Jim Morris Municipal Park. Armbands will sell for $10 and may be used between 6-10 p.m. on Wednesday night to board rides. Youth cash drawings will highlight the evening, along with local talent on the bandstand from 6-10.

Thursday, Ju;ly 31, will feature gospel music on the bandstand as the fun with Davidson Amusements continues.

Friday night, Aug. 1, two contests for young ladies will be held on the bandstand. Little Miss Peach Blossom, ages 5-7, will be crowned in a pageant beginning at 7 p.m. Contact Nikki Brooks, (573) 776-8202, or Erica Brooks, (573) 276-8770 for entry forms or more information. Girls, ages 8-11, will compete for the title of Little Miss Peach Queen following the first contest. Those wishing to enter this pageant should contact Kim Holsten at (573) 450-5448. Davidson Amusements will continue with the midway activities.

On Saturday, Aug.2, the day-long activities will begin with a parade through downtown Campbell beginning at 10 a.m. Bud Hill, 246-2968, is the contact person for this event. Following the judging of the parade, a Toddler Contest will be held in the Campbell Community Building for little ones, ages birth to 4 years. Contact Jennifer Adair at (573) 246-3280 for more information or to enter.

Bandstand entertainment begins at 6 p.m. Saturday night and continues until the beginning of the Junior Miss Peach Fair pageant for ages 12-15, at 8 p.m. Lesley Vancil can be reached at (573) 246-2667 or (573) 429-3167 for more information on this final pageant of the 2008 Peach Fair.

Davidson Amusements and Devices will be operating throughout the evening

Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the week for Briggs and Stratton motors and will be awarded at each event. Youth drawings will be held nightly. An array of Peach Fair souvenirs will be available to purchase at Peach Fair Headquarters on the park grounds. Along with the professional food vendors, several local churches will be offering local favorites to appease fairgoers' appetites and thirst.

For more information on any of these events, contact Tony Adair, president, at 246-3280 or Tina Finder, entertainment chairman, 246-3585.

Pageants Slated for Missouri Peach Fair

Young ladies will have ample opportunity to compete for titles and crowns at the Missouri Peach Fair in Campbell, July 25 through Aug. 2 . Contestants are being sought for pageants held throughout the week for ages 0-19.

The Miss Missouri Peach Fair Pageant will kickoff the week on Friday, July 25. The contest, for young women ages 16-19, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Campbell Community Building on Hwy 62.

Young ladies, ages 12-15, will be qualified to compete for the title of Junior Miss Peach Queen held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.2 on the bandstand in Morris Municipal Park. Lesley Vancil may be contacted for information on the Junior Miss Peach Queen Pageant at (573) 246- 2667 or 573-429-3167. The entry fee for this pageant is $20..

Two separate pageants will be held at the bandstand location on Friday, Aug, 1, for younger ladies. The Little Miss Peach Blossom contest, for girls ages 5-7, will be held that night at 7 p,m. An entry fee of $15 is required for entry into this pageant. For more information or to enter, contact Nikki Brooks (573) 776-8202 or Erica Brooks (573) 276-8770.

The Little Miss Peach Queen will be crowned in a pageant beginning later that night at 8:45 p.m. This pageant is for girls ages 8-11 and has an entry fee of $15. Contact Kim Holsten 573-450-5448.

The Toddler Contest, held inside the Campbell Community Building, is a place for both boys and girls to vie for crowns. This year's contest will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, beginning at 12:00 noon. Boys and girls will compete separately in six categories: Birth-6 months, 7-11 months, 1 year olds, 2 year olds, 3 year olds, and 4-year olds.

Jennifer Adair (573) 246-3280 or Julie Foriester (573) 246-2656 may be contacted for entry or information. Entry fee for the pageant is $10.

The deadline for all contests, with the exception of the Missouri Peach Fair Queen, must be received or postmarked by July 27. 2204\rsid15814759\rsid15931977\rsid16257813\rsid16348071

Parade Scheduled For Missouri Peach Fair

Cars, queens, clowns and more will decorate the streets when the Missouri Peach Fair presents its annual parade at 10 a.m Saturday, Aug.2. in downtown Campbell.

Prizes for entries include three prizes for floats: 1 st place - $300, 2nd place - $200, and 3rd place - $100. A $15 prize will be awarded for 1st} place in the Wheel Toy Division, with $10 for 2nd prize and $5 for 3rd place.

The parade will begin organizing at the First Assembly of God Church parking lot on Highway 53 in Campbell at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug.. 2, and will begin its way to downtown Campbell as it proceeds down Grand Avenue for judging at 10 a.m.

For more information or to register entries for the parade, contact Bud Hill at (573) 246-2968.