State fairs may attract more than a million people each during their runs and the big-name entertainers are great. But you only rarely see anyone you know.
Huge international fairs bring the world together to celebrate technology and business connections. There's a lot to see, but there are many years between them.
The county fair could be the most entertaining event in easy driving distance, and it has features you won't experience at the big shows. It's more personal.
Walk through the fairgrounds with someone who has lived in the county for a long time. Their history comes to life as they stop to talk to one person after another and are hailed by people a few tents away.
Even if you only lived in the county for a few years, you will see people you know. The fair brings opportunities to get the inside stories on county matters and a chance to catch up with acquaintances you haven't seen for a while.
You can have your dinner served by ladies from church, some of whom you know to be great cooks. Or you might share a table with newfound friends and support a different church or civic group at the same time.
County fairs may not have as many games and carnival rides, but they have more than enough to please your kids. And teenage boys and girls still get to ogle each other.
You'll find trustworthy vendors in the commercial building and maybe some familiar names on exhibits. Visit your county fair and you could have an enjoyable, enlightening time.
