Fair success: Volunteers, fair staff and 4-H'ers make county fair hum

The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair has set another record -- with attendance figures shooting above 100,000.

Director Milton Ingram credited the weather and a new paved track for this year's success.

The rest of us know that there is a whole lot of credit that needs to stay right in the director's office -- and accolades that should be shared with an army of staff and volunteers.

The truth is, there is a lot of work that goes into making every year's county fair such a success -- and Ingram and his staff and volunteers always make it look easy.

This county is lucky to have so many people who are so dedicated to keeping this fair alive and thriving.

And don't forget the livestock exhibitors and those who helped organize, promote and fund the shows as well as those who baked a pie, crocheted an afghan or showed off a prize rose. Their exhibits are a big part of what makes this fair a hit.

Contrary to what most people think, it is not easy to raise, groom and care for an animal, let alone to make sure it trots around a ring properly. And baking an award-winning pie doesn't just happen either.

In this day of video games and television, many people have forgotten how much fun it is to do simple things like eat a candy apple at the fair. And many of them do not realize just how important agriculture is to their communities.

In some communities, lack of interest has forced county fairs to scale back or close down. Thank goodness Wayne County has a dedicated group of people who will never let that happen.

Congratulations to all those who turned in another prize-winning fair.

Published in Editorials on October 12, 2011 11:05 AM