CALIFORNIA, Mo. -- Snacks, socializing, games and illusions made for a busy afternoon Thursday at the Moniteau County Fair Senior Citizens Day.
More than 100 turned out to the annual event, according to organizer Lori Volkart.
"I'm not here to win Bingo," said Barbara Walter. "We get to see people we haven't seen in awhile and visit."
The afternoon event has been a part of the fair schedule for at least 20 years.
"This gets people out who may not want to get out at night," Volkart said.
Held in Centennial Hall, the guests also were invited to view the exhibits downstairs and the art and quilts on the main floor.
The free afternoon was made possible by merchant generosity.
"It's amazing all of the sponsors and prizes," said 2014 Miss Moniteau County Emma Huhmann. "I was stunned how much the community is involved with this; it's pretty cool."
Cookies, sandwiches and drinks were served, and Bingo prizes cross over into door prizes by the end.
The Senior Citizens Day was the first event for the reigning queen.
"This has been very interesting; I'm having a lot of fun," Huhmann said.
On Thursday evening, she sang the Star-Spangled Banner before the demolition derby and Saturday she helped with the baby contest awards.
"The fair has always been home, but now it's a little bit different," Huhmann said. "There's definitely a feeling of inheritance."
The Gillam Family Illusions also entertained between Bingo rounds.
Aaron Gillam with his wife, Denise, and their children, Marie and David, provided a light-hearted and humorous show with juggling, illusions and feats of skill.
As the oldest continually-operating county fair west of the Mississippi River, the Moniteau County Fair has been part of the lives of these senior citizens for decades.
"When I was a little kid, we came to the fair every night for years," Walter said. "It's a tradition you were raised to do - you got to the fair."