It’s that time of the year again and everyone should be excited to go to the fair. It will be the first year the Baldwin County Cattle Show and Fair will be fully operational at the new fairgrounds in Robertsdale.

The new location of the fairgrounds is on Fairground Road (formerly Berner Road) which runs next to the Robertsdale High school off of Highway 59. I’m really a city girl from the time I was born but there is something about a county fair that is so attractive. It’s not just the rides. It’s not just the carnival atmosphere. It’s the animals that are brought for competition. It’s the rodeo events we can watch. It the booths and exhibits set up for the public to see and I have always learned something new when I have attended in the past.

Agriculture has always been a big part of Baldwin County and this gives the younger generation a chance to see the fruits of those who labor in that lifestyle. There will also have a “Heritage Room” displaying a one-room cabin showing fair attendees how the first settlers in Baldwin County lived. We need to be reminded of our heritage every year and be grateful to our forefathers for what they have done for us to get us to the present day.

Baldwin County has been a safe environment for me to raise my children here and I believe it has a lot to do with the agriculture lifestyle. The building of big cities brings in crime and more social issues which are difficult to deal with in an area. Having the farming atmosphere keeps us moving at a slower pace. Some might not like that idea but for safety reasons and for the families who live here, it is good. A slower pace is always better than life passing us by so quickly.

The future is always uncertain but with knowing of our past and how those who settled this area were persistent in moving forward, we can have that same feeling of safety and purpose to move forward in our life, especially living in Baldwin County. Knowing our heritage helps give us the confidence that we can face what life throws at us and we can live our lives.

So let’s support the county fair this year which runs from Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday noon to 10 p.m. A great reminder of what brought us to this area to live and a tribute to our heritage.

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is the author of two books, “Home Is Where The Heart Is, A look at strengthening the American Family,” and her latest book, “Home Is Where The Learning Is” (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1403379637). Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.stengthenyourhome.com.