Law makers across the United States established Regional fairs to promote and improve the quality of farm products by encouraging farmers to develop new and better techniques in the raising of livestock and agricultural crops. The Southeast Missouri District Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1855 to serve 23 counties of the region. The fair was held the first week in October in the city of Cape Girardeau, in a wooded grove on what is now South Frederick Street. The Army troops that were stationed at Fort C destroyed all of the original fair buildings. In 1870 the Agricultural Society was revived and a fair was held again. A new site was selected farther west of the city near old Gordonville Road and Highway 61 South. The association purchased Fifty acres and one hundred more were soon added to the tract. Due to the declining interest and attendance, the old fair association was dissolved in 1897 and the fairgrounds were sold. A new association called the Cape Girardeau Fair and Park Association was formed in 1900. The association purchased forty acres of land at the present day site of Capaha Park. The Fair was located there from 1900 to 1929. However, due to WWI and the Great Depression, the fair was disbanded in 1929 and the board was dissolved. A revival of the fair was begun in February of 1939 with the organization of the present day Southeast Missouri District Fair Association. The Fair Association and the City of Cape Girardeau jointly own the property and parking areas that host the yearly fair. The SEMO District Fair is organized solely by volunteers and is governed by a board of directors elected from its membership and appointments from both the Cape Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Chamber There are also judges, superintendents, exhibitors, and local community civic groups that contribute their time to help at the fair. The Southeast Missouri District Fair is funded from the proceeds received from gate admissions, grandstand tickets, and would not be possible without the revenue received from numerous sponsors. The co-operation from the City of Cape Girardeau in producing each fair is vital to its success. No state or federal funds are involved in its production. The Southeast Missouri District Fair Foundation was created to receive donations for projects that contribute to the advancement of agriculture at the fair. The fair is a member of the Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals (M.A.F.F.). It is also a member of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (I.A.F.E.), National Independent Concessionaire Association (N.I.C.A.), and the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (O.A.B.A). These organizations provide valuable resources of information about the betterment of fairs.