KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Fair fever is gripping Northeast Missouri. The rain held off long enough to officially open the 2010 NEMO Fair. Fair board members joined folks from the throughout the community for the opening ceremony Monday morning.  Miss NEMO Fair was on hand to cut the ribbon. She was joined by Young Miss and Teen Miss NEMO Fair, as well as city, county, and state leaders. Truman State University President Troy Paino was the featured speaker for Monday's ceremony.  Members of the V.F.W. presented colors and assisted 4-H Club members in raising the flags up the poles.

Fair Board president Don Reynolds explained why he and other board members continue to be involved with the fair.

“I enjoy helping and giving people…the public something.  I think everyone on the board enjoys the job or they wouldn’t be there.  We don’t get paid, but we do enjoy delivering something to the public we hope they’ll enjoy,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds told KTVO about a new addition you might be excited about.

“At the fair we did change Tuesday night.  We have 38-special so that’ll be something different.  Normally we have three nights of country-western music, so we have 38 this year. So we’re looking forward to that.  We’ve had some good people comment that they’ll like it hopefully.  So we’re expecting a big crowd there,” Reynolds explained.

You can expect some parking changes this year.  If you’re traveling to the fair on Highway 11 you’ll need to follow the signs and turn south on Hollis Way this year for general parking.  Handicapped parking will remain the same at Gate 1.

“We try to give you a good price a lot for what you get.  One price gets you everything once you get on property.  You can do all the carnival rides you want you can go to the event…whatever the event is for the night.  Doesn’t cost you anymore.  That’s a little different than some fairs,” said Reynolds.

He says another difference is that the NEMO Fair allows folks from surrounding counties to show their projects and animals in a regional competition, while Adair county participants can compete in a single county category.

We hope that you’ll join KTVO at the fair on Wednesday night, July 21^st, 2010. Eden Derby will be live at 5 and 6. Kevin Chierek will be introducing the performer Sawyer Brown, with a Fireworks Display right after.