Fiddlers Contest attracts big crowds at Mokane Fall Fest

Event also known as "Mokane World's Fair'

The annual fiddle contest at the Mokane Fall Festival is named in honor of Jack Hockemeyer.
The annual fiddle contest at the Mokane Fall Festival is named in honor of Jack Hockemeyer.

Members of the Mokane Lions Club and others are gearing up for the 64th annual Mokane Fall Festival on Labor Day weekend that some call "Mokane World's Fair."

The annual three-day event on River Street in Mokane during Labor Day weekend begins on Friday, Aug. 30, and ends on Sunday, Sept. 1. It includes a variety of events. Attractions include the barbecued meat dinners along with beer and soda, bingo games, carnival rides, and a softball competition.

Friday evening will feature a demolition derby and a performance by the band Safari.

On Saturday there will be a softball competition and a parade in the morning. A childrens tractor pull and the Mule Kickers dancers will entertain in the afternoon. Missouri Farm Pullers will have tractors and trucks competing in pulling events during the evening along with performances of the Black Water band.

On Sunday the Flat Foot Follies will entertain in the afternoon and the antique tractor and truck pulling competition will be in the evening. The Coveralls band also will entertain.

One of the long-standing traditions of the annual event is the Jake Hockemeyer Memorial Old Time Fiddlers Contest on Sunday afternoon.

That event at the Mokane Lions Club Park begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1. Registration for the competition begins an hour before the event at 2 p.m.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.