Growing up, I always enjoyed my hometown’s summer fair. Every summer brought something new — new entertainment, new rides and games or some new vendor with the “must-have” product of the year.
Along with that, every year at the fair I also seemed to gain a new appreciation for my community. One of the things I enjoyed so much about my hometown was the small-town atmosphere. Nowhere was that more prevalent than during the fair, when the town was transformed into one big community barbecue.
Visiting the Cabarrus County Fair last summer was very nostalgic, reminding me a great deal of the days of my youth. Walking around, I was met with smiling faces and warm greetings, and the unmistakable smell of fair food. It’s the most at-home I’ve felt in the more than 18 months since I moved away from home and made my way to Cabarrus County.
Needless to say, I’m excited about the return of this year’s fair, which will once again be held at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center from Sept. 7-15. I’m eager to make time to take in the sights, sounds, and yes, the fair food. But I’m perhaps most excited about seeing once again how the fair represents the sense of community.
Today, life seems to move so much faster than when I was young. I think it’s important that we find the time to slow down and really take in those things that make our community such a special place to live and work. It’s important to enjoy spending time among our friends and neighbors and to celebrate those events that make our community such a unique and special place.
Jonathan E. Coleman
Editor