Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I am writing in regard to the Gloucester County Fair. I took my granddaughter last Friday morning to enter our little roses. We were greeted with the usual County Fair volunteers who have always been so helpful and kind. We have entered items in the fair for more than 15 years now. I even won the Hershey Cocoa contest with the option to travel to the State Fair and compete which I did.

On Saturday night my daughter, granddaughter, and I returned to see if our flowers had won. Of course they did, with first prize, Grand Prize and Sweepstakes. It was really exciting but yet sad. There was not much participation by our county residents in any of the categories. When the fair was operated down at Page Middle School, it used to be so great. So many entries, more people, more booths, more food. The 2010 fair did not have as many food vendors or booths at all compared to recent years. Where were the Ruritans, the church groups, the vendors? I have seen this downturn in the past few years, but this year was the worst attendance and worst amount of entries I have seen.

What is it that the County Fair Association can do to raise more awareness, more participation in this well tended fair? It has to be hard for all the wonderful volunteers involved. Should it be done on a later date? A lot of people are on vacation this time of year. Should they have it at a later date, like in early fall but not to coincide with the Virginia State Fair?

My regrets go out that Mrs. Burnette is leaving. That will certainly put a dent in the system. She is a very wonderful person and has done a lot for Gloucester County. Enjoy your retirement, Mrs. Burnette. Hopefully someone as dedicated as she has been will take over the helm with new vision to make the attendance grow in entries and residents at the 2011 Gloucester County Fair.

Jeannie Dunston

Gloucester, Va.