Tradition: Agricultural fair rooted in county’s earliest days

You might not think there is much reason to head to the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair other than fair food and rides.

And, if you have never been there, that would be a reasonable observation.

But the county fair represents more than that, especially if you really think back to how Wayne County got its start.

A trip to the fair allows you to show your children in an age of video games and television what people from the early days used to do for fun, and to survive.

For city kids who never have milked a cow, harvested tobacco or seen a pea outside of a can, this is a chance to appreciate agriculture and recognize just how important a role it plays in our local and national economy.

For country kids who are part of their parents’ own farms or agricultural enterprises, the fair is a chance to show off a bit. Showing livestock is hard work, as is taking care of a cow, goat, pig or horse throughout the year. These young people deserve the chance to strut their stuff.

And there are plenty of other achievers at the fair, too. A walk into the exhibit building will show you needlepoint, artwork and other examples of work that is handmade and homemade. Another rarity in this mass-production age.

The fair is a strain for some local businesses. Fair traffic can cut down on their business for the two-week span. But there is so much to be gained from remembering this county’s history and the people who helped build the region into the economic center it is today.

The fair is a tradition that is well worth preserving and supporting.

Take the time to step back and remember your roots this week.

Published in Editorials on October 6, 2005 10:48 AM