The “Best Little Fair in the Land” returns this weekend for two days of fun, food, festivities and free music.
The East Perry Community Fair will take place Friday and Saturday in Altenburg.
The fair experienced one of the largest crowds in its history in 2023 and is expected to have as many or more turn out this year. It was estimated that East Perry County saw more than 30,000 people walk about the grounds during the two-day event last year.
The fair will again open with the parade at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The parade will feature several local high school bands, including Perryville, St. Vincent, Oak Ridge, Meadow Heights, Bell City, Bernie, Chaffee, Greenville, and Doniphan. The parade has a history of being well attended, so to avoid heavy traffic, those wanting to attend are encouraged to arrive early to find a clear, comfortable viewing spot. The traffic flow into Altenburg is stopped around 1 p.m. to organize the parade lineup. Plan accordingly if you’re expecting to attend.
The parade’s grand marshal is the Rev. Dr. Paul Winningham, who recently retired after serving as the pastor of Grace and Zion Lutheran Churches of Uniontown and Longtown for 34 years. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Dr. Winningham has lived in East Perry County for over half his life.
Born the youngest of four children of Jerry and Martha Simon Winningham, “Pastor Paul” is married to the former Diane Theurer, whom he met in college while both were studying to be teachers. The couple has five children and 11 grandchildren.
After graduating high school, Dr. Winningham attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, where he graduated with a degree in elementary education. He had no intention of becoming a pastor. Following graduation, he began teaching third and fourth graders in a combined classroom and coaching soccer, volleyball, and softball for grades six through eight for two years in Sawyer, Michigan, and four years in the Chicago suburb of Hillside. He also worked with the youth of the congregations.
Through the encouragement of others, Dr. Winningham entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1990. That same year, he was called and installed as the pastor of Grace and Zion Lutheran churches, where he continued to serve until his retirement at the end of June. Fascinated with the challenges of pastoring more than one congregation, he is passionate about encouraging and assisting those who serve in similar settings.
As customary, livestock judging and shows will be held beginning Friday morning and continuing through Saturday evening. Following the parade, the popular 4x4 Truck Pull at 6 p.m.
On Saturday at 3 p.m., by far the fair’s largest spectator draw, the “World Championship” Mule Jumping Competition, will be held. At 6 p.m., the Hot Rod Tractor Pull, featuring the Illinois Hot Farm Stock Pullers, will be making its fourth appearance at the fair.
Free musical entertainment at the fair on Friday includes Him & Her at 4 p.m. and Still Standing at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Landon Overbey takes the stage at noon, followed by Carly Green at 1 p.m., Deuce Denniger at 2 p.m., East End Blend at 3 p.m. and Clint Sattler at 4 p.m. Closing out this year’s fair after the 6 p.m. awarding of attendance prizes will be The Fault Line Band at 7 p.m.
While music is a big draw for the fair, many others come out to partake in the various food options available at 20 food stands on hand. These stands will serve hamburgers, pork burgers, corn dogs, catfish fillets, funnel cakes, bratwurst, blooming onions, quesadillas, smoked turkey legs and a crowd favorite—grilled cheese sandwiches. The newer offerings will be freeze-dried candy, hot dogs, fried Oreos and seasoned fries.
Goldstar Amusements, a family-owned and operated business that spans six generations, will again provide this year's carnival rides. They will bring around 10 rides to Altenburg, including some big rides, as they return to Missouri after spending the summer in Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas.
Parking and admission to the fair is free. All fair parking except livestock trucks, trailers, pulling trucks and tractors must enter the fairgrounds via Poplar Street. Follow the directions of the traffic staff and parking attendants, who will only be on duty from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. Arrive early to take in as much of the fair as possible before enjoying your favorite entertainment or event.
