Community WOW!
“People coming together as a community can make remarkable things happen.” ~Unknown
According to the number crunchers within the governmental offices of the State of Indiana, there are approximately 23,332 people that live in Fayette County, Indiana. The Largest community in Fayette County is the city of Connersville with an approximate population of 12,949 people (these numbers reflect information from 2016). Connersville is not only the county seat for Fayette County but also home to the Fayette County Free Fair that is currently underway at the fair-grounds. Sunday, July 30th, was the opening parade for the Fayette County Fair and I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of something that was so grand a spectacle. This was no Macy’s Day Parade from the Big Apple or Tournament of Roses Parade of New Year’s Day fame…this was much better from my humble point of view. I have the distinct feeling that least a third of the county was involved in some way during the parade. The parade seemed to last well over an hour as businesses, churches and other organizations who are deeply involved in the community/county filled the parade to the point it was well over a mile long. Then there were the throngs of people who stood along the ENTIRE parade route cheering, waving and having a grand time as entrant after parade entrant passed by. People by the thousands were out to see the parade passing by…people of all ages who lined up along the route to experience the joy of a community.
I think everyone loves a parade at some level. The kids along the way were just thrilled to get a lollie-pop or a Tootsie Roll, others would wave with excitement as familiar faces would pass down the street. There were several parade entrants who would squirt great fountains of water on the hot kids standing in the sun as they passed by and to my surprise, there was a delightful group of people who were passing out ice-cold water bottles to those in the parade as we walked by. A cold bottle of water was never so appreciated as that one was on such a beautiful and sunny day, thank you to that exceptional group of people on behalf of myself and all the others whose thirst was abated. I’m not from Connersville, I don’t even live in Fayette county, but for a beautiful and lovely afternoon, I felt welcome as a part of a greater community as I participated in the parade with my coworkers celebrating the opening of the fair. I have no reason to believe that the overwhelming sense of community I felt in Connersville that day would be any different from the other communities in the surrounding area but I find myself wanting to tip my hat and give credit where credit is due. The citizens of the city of Connersville and of the county as a whole put on a display of community support that I’ve not seen in a very long time and I would just like to say thank you. I hope everyone has a great and safe time as they visit the fair. Please come by and visit our tent and win a free prize or just say hello, we would love to hear from you. While you’re visiting, you can sign up for a chance to win one of our daily door prizes and enter to win our grand prize at the end of the fair, there is no need to be present to win. Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com