The Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair is well underway. I have shared a lot of information with you in this column during recent weeks about your local county fair and how much it has grown in recent years. I have shared information about all the special events that are provided for those who attend the fair and about how many of the booths, exhibits, contests, and livestock shows are both enjoyable and educational.

No doubt you have seen a lot of other information recently about the county fair. There have been news articles and pictures in The Robesonian for the past several weeks and front page pictures and articles during the week of the fair. The insert in The Robesonian prior to opening day of the fair provided a lot of information about your fair and about many events that would take place during the fair.

I have often shared that the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair is recognized as one of the best county agricultural fairs in North Carolina, something that every citizen of the county should be proud of. You would expect that from me, because I serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the fair. But if you have not yet had time to visit your county fair, let me urge you to make an effort to go. The Board of Directors of the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair would like you to see firsthand the evidence of the reputation your county fair has as being the best in the state.

This is the 60th Anniversary of your fair. It has operated continuously since 1947. It started first as a one-day Farmers Festival with only exhibits. It has now grown into a 10-day event with the largest midway, greatest variety of entertainment and contests, and the most extensive display of exhibits this side of the State Fair.

Many of the activities at the fair during this week have centered around the history of the fair and have attempted to bring back pleasant memories of past decades. Barney Fife, along with his sidekick Goober, were at the fair all day yesterday and will be there through tonight. Their antics brought back memories of the 60s and 70s as we all watched the Andy Griffith Show every week.

The Living History Class at Purnell Swett High School entertained the crowds with music and dance of the same era. The famous Embers performed last night to bring back memories of beach music songs that have been enjoyed for the past four decades. Antiques, livestock shows, home exhibits, and even collard sandwiches have all served to bring back memories of the past.

But one of the most interesting exhibits at your fair this year is one created by Morris Bennett, a member of the Board of Directors of the fair. The county fair originated as a project of the Lumberton Jaycees, and they managed and helped the fair grow until the late 80s. This display features pictures of each of the presidents of the Jaycees during this time. Major awards won by this fair are on display for all to see. In addition, the exhibit includes trivia questions and answers to help those visiting the fair to learn more about the history of the fair. For example, did you know that your county fair has operated on five different sites in the Lumberton area since 1947? Did you know that the legal name of your county fair is the Robeson County Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, Inc.? Do you know what year the name the fair operates under was changed from the Farmers Festival to the Robeson County Fair?

During this week, your county fair has been visited by groups from the North Carolina State Fair and from numerous other fairs both in North Carolina and from other states. This is a great compliment to know that so many others look to this fair as the premier fair in the state, and they come here to gain ideas about how to make their fairs better.

The greatest compliment about the quality of your county fair comes from those visiting the fair. You would assume that if you asked someone if they enjoyed the fair they would most likely say "yes." But the greatest compliment is when visitors make an effort to seek out members of the fair board to tell them how much they enjoyed the fair, how much their children enjoyed it, how neat and clean everything was, how well-organized everything was, and how pleased they were to see so many new and different things at the county fair. These comments have been heard by our board members many times this week.

Without a doubt, you have the best county agricultural fair in the entire state right here in your community. Many others recognize this, so hopefully so do you. If you have not yet visited the fair, there are still three days left. See you at the fair.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 10/05/06