Welcome to the Fair

The Neshoba County Journal welcomes folks to the Fair in yesterday's editorial:

Hundreds of visitors will begin pouring into town this week for the 119th edition of the Neshoba County Fair - and with that "119th edition" the official welcomes of the late Norman A. Johnson Jr., and Dr. Rudolph Posey and their "grand ole Neshoba County Fair" boom in the minds of many above a certain age. For a lot of Fairgoers, this week marks a homecoming. Neshoba County is no longer physically home, but how good it is to be able to come "home" to a familiar place and people who seem always to genuinely care. Folks have been known to do crazy things like quit a job in order to attend the Fair. College kids have traversed multiple states in the dead of night to get here. To be sure, as much as the Fair is an abiding constant in the lives of so many, the only thing certain is change. Inevitably, declining health and other circumstances - even death - will rob us this Fair of dear friends and family and the rich conversation - and often their food - that accompanies them. Wednesday and Thursday will continue the hearty tradition of political speaking that has been a staple of the Fair for about 113 years with about 25 speeches scheduled. In a first, the famed Thacker Mountain radio program will broadcast live from Founders Square featuring, among others, Charlie Mars, whom we claim as one of our own just as we do the Mannings. The most important political speeches are likely to be in the race for the U.S. Senate. Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, a Democrat, and Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican, will speak Wednesday at 10:20 and 10:30 a.m., respectively. The race for senate is expected to be a highly contested one and these speeches should prove to be the starting point for a hot and heavy race the rest of the way. To our visitors, we extend a hearty welcome and hope that you will return soon. To all, enjoy the Fair!