PEA RIDGE — The fair has come to town. By Monday night, carnival rides were on the old school lawn downtown. By this weekend, those rides will be set up, there will be booths along the sidewalk and lawn chairs all over the west end of the lawn facing the stage where the pageants will be held and the music groups will play.

This year marks the 60th anniversary - actually the 61st fair - as the fair began with a Centennial Celebration coordinated by community residents. Over the years, the fair continued, as did the pageant. It’s come to be a tradition in town to which many people look forward.

As Dorothy Williams, one of the grand marshals, noted: “We love the visiting.”

Although the children seem drawn to the rides and the food, the adults, especially the older adults, settle in chairs and spend the evening visiting and listening to the music, tapping their feet to the beat.

The demographics of Pea Ridge has changed.

There are many newcomers in town, but most were drawn by the very thing the natives love - that small town feel.

This year, an old tradition is being reinstituted.

The oldest man and woman present will be recognized.

Pea Ridge is a great place to live. Let’s applaud our traditions, revere our elders, renew old friendships and make new friends.

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County. A native of Louisiana, she moved to this area in 1980. She has nine children and one grand child. She can be reached at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 07/07/2010