Summer has officially subsided and the Oxford and Farmington county fairs are behind us.

In Oxford County, the public warmly welcomed bull riders from away. In Farmington, a unique new vegetable – a cross between a pumpkin and a cucumber – raised eyebrows. And, at both events, Mainers celebrated the state’s agriculture and rural social culture.

In an age where we are increasingly insulated from our neighbors and our communities because of hectic schedules and our growing attachment to at-home entertainment, these country fairs showcase Maine and the work of Mainers.

Many of the people who exhibited their animals, their wares and their skills at the Oxford and Farmington fairs are preparing for October’s Blue Ribbon classic in Fryeburg, the best and biggest annual display of Maine’s agricultural heritage.

Every day in Maine, farmers, woodsmen and craftsmen struggle to make a living. They rely on Maine’s natural resources to provide for their families and their futures. Country fairs provide an opportunity to put work ethic on public display, and an opportunity for those who don’t till fields and fell trees to peek at the efforts of those who do.

If you haven’t been to a country fair yet, go. The goodness of Maine is on display.