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A new school year lingering on the horizon of our vision has people starting to dwell on the fact that summertime activities inevitably end. Town festivals before we know it will be wrapped up, and vision will soon be turned toward said school year, colder temps and busier schedules.

That’s why we are urging you to take advantage of the fairs picking up steam in southeastern Minnesota and in the broader expanse of the state. Some have either come and gone, but several are still on the horizon. Locally, the Freeborn County Fair will kick things off on July 30 followed by the Mower County Fair on Aug. 6. Both of these events are filled with rich traditions that make them the premier events of summer.

There’s also the Steele County Fair, Olmsted County Fair and if you’re ready to go big the Minnesota State Fair.

Let’s face a certain reality: We live in a tough time. Political divisions are deeper than ever, rifts in ideology push us further apart and events on the world stage provide a level of fear for the future that has us cringing every time we look at the TV or computer.

That’s why fairs may play a more important role than maybe we give them credit for. Not only are they a chance to be a part of that rich tradition we talked about previously, but it hearkens back to a simpler time. So many of us have memories of hitting the midway at night, absorbed in the sights of sounds uniquely singular to a fair.

Those memories are filled with the scents of corn dogs and mini donuts, the activities of the barns and the excitement of the grandstands. These memories carry forward as we watch the younger generation create their own memories by walking the same paths we did.

At a fair it’s relatively simple to forget the realities of life outside of those gates and to enjoy the heritage of county fairs that have left marks on the communities they call home.

So when the time comes and the county fair opens, take your own time to visit and relish what they have to offer. Go with family and friends or just walk the grounds on your own and take it all in, because as the world continues to turn, the county fair will be a steady respite for all of us.

Upcoming fairs

• Olmsted County Fair: July 22-28
• Freeborn County Fair: July 30-Aug. 4
• Mower County Fair: Aug. 6-11
• Steele County Fair: Aug. 13-18
• Minnesota State Fair: Aug. 22-Sept. 2