The season of town events starts now

The season of community festivals kicks off this weekend.

It starts in St. John, traditionally the first of the county’s town events.

Billed as the St. John Fair and Stock Show, activities for entries have already begun. Public events kick off tonight (Thursday) with viewing at the home ec building.

Full details were in last week’s Gazette. A story is on Page One in this issue.

On Friday at the Colton-Uniontown school is the Colton-Uniontown Fair. This one-day event has stock showing, demonstrations, food and an FFA greenhouse sale.

The community events are invitations from the rural towns for residents and non-residents alike to come and see what the communities offer. They give locals the opportunity to showcase their communities to outsiders and to let the locals gather and enjoy some time with friends.

Traditionally, most offer a variety of food, games, entertainment and a parade through town. These events play important roles. Invariably they celebrate family and rural living. Aside from the good times they provide, they are important for local fundraising and getting county residents to come and take advantage of their offerings.

Each town is unique, although they all reflect the rural heritage and agricultural economies that brought them into being in the first place. They, too, are great reunions for residents past and present and draw from a wide area.

Keep an eye on upcoming Gazettes for advances on these events.

If there is one thing that is evident in all these town festivals, it is community pride. And, the towns putting them on want you to share it with them.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher