There have been some rumblings that this year’s county fair wasn’t up to par. Organizers were plagued with bad weather. There wasn’t a county extension agent this time to oversee all the 4-H events, and entries had dwindled. Maybe there were fewer food offerings than in years past, some complained.

Still, the Franklin/Southampton County Fair managed to delight and entertain area residents, and the Board of Directors should be commended for its efforts.

The fair brought us a top-notch petting zoo, up-and-coming Nashville and local talents on the main stage, and a brand-new air-conditioned commercial arts building. The Queen’s Contest, despite the rain, was well-attended and entertaining, too.

There’s no pleasing everyone — that’s evident from the comments we see on our Web site (www.thetidewaternews.com).

But, if you’re local and there’s something you didn’t like about our county fair, stop complaining and do something about it.

The fair is run by volunteers. Why not take the time to offer your services to help the fair improve? Or enter a quilt or your grandmother’s famous pickles.

Or better yet, as one poster suggested online, “Get your children involved or help sponsor another child that might not be able to fund an agricultural/4-H project. Then you can come and support them.”

Sure, the fair has room for improvement. But let’s not forget what went right out there in Courtland.

People had fun and were glad to be there. And that’s worth the $6 entry fee and then some.