“As soon as one fair ends, we start working on the fair for next year.

“Our first meeting is in September.”

The board will also take into consideration the feedback they have received from fair-goers.

“We like to do things that people say they would like to see.

“Next year, we hope it will be even bigger and better than this year.”

Those were the words of Sandra Heeren, fair board president, words that were spoken last year.

Another edition of the Franklin-Southampton County Fair is in the history books.

Much like Christmas which seems to rush by us after months of planning, the fair was probably the easiest part of the process. Scores of volunteers invested countless hours of their time for nearly 12 months to plan events, recruit members, organize a little of everything, then be sure things go as smoothly as they can.

It is, by many accounts, a thankless job, especially when the starting date of the fair seems so far off.

But such efforts are not only required to make the event go well, but they truly are appreciated, even if the appreciation is not verbalized.

But to those who gave their time and trouble, we say, “Thank you.”