Tribune editorial staff

Undaunted by a few raindrops here and there, thousands flocked to this year's Lawrence County Fair looking for a fun time. Judging by the smiles on the faces seen at the fair, most of those people were not disappointed.

Always a special event, this year's fair held extra significance as Ohio celebrated its bicentennial.

For fairgoers, that meant taking part in a little history themselves. Many watched in wonderment Monday as a molten mixture of bronze and copper was poured into the mold.

On Tuesday, still more fairgoers watched, as the mold on the county's bicentennial bell was broken before the bell rang its first note later that same day.

The fair may be over this morning, the fun and history will continue next weekend as the bicentennial bell takes a special tour around the county.

On Saturday and Sunday, the bell will go on a parade around the county, stopping at significant historical sites before winding up at its final home, the Lawrence County Courthouse.

Saturday's portion of the event will culminate in a hoedown at Collins Career Center in Getaway.

This weekend's events promise to be a romping good time for all.

One thing that may get lost in all of the fun is remembering all of the hard work that goes into making events such as the Lawrence County Fair and the Bicentennial Bell Tour a success.

Such events do not happen overnight and they do not happen without major time and work commitments from a number of volunteers.

Each of them deserve our thanks for what they have done -- and continue to do -- to make Lawrence County a special place in which to live.