Starting this weekend, the Cass County Fairgrounds in Cassopolis will come alive with the sounds of livestock, the revving of tractor engines and the voices of auctioneers buzzing through bids.

The Cass County Fair begins pre-fair festivities Saturday and will continue until Saturday, Aug. 3. The annual event brings together local 4-H club participants, demolition derby enthusiasts, farmers and interested citizens alike.

For many in Cass County, the fair is more than just a celebration of thrill rides and fried foods — it is a tradition that represents a lot of the great things this community has to offer.

Each year, we talk to many fairgoers, officials and 4-H participants, and we often hear the same sentiment: the Cass County Fair is unique. No matter if the person we talk to is a newcomer or someone that has been attending for 40 years, they often tell us that the fair makes them feel welcome and fair week is one of their favorite times of the year.

We even know of several individuals who choose to use their vacation time to volunteer at the fair. That, for me at least, is a ringing endorsement of the fair like no other.

The fair is a tradition in the county that its residents take great pride in and do not take lightly.

Just as the fair is a tradition for the county, it is a tradition for us at Leader Publications, as well. Next week, we will have staff at the paper out every day of the fair — taking photos, recording winners and sharing your stories — just as we always have. We know how important the fair is to a community, especially a community that is as agriculturally-focused as Cass County. We believe it is important to be a part of our communities and covering the events and topics that are important to it. Plus, we can’t say we mind spending a week away from our desks, enjoying the outdoors and getting to see cute animals.

Inside of this Thursday’s papers, check out our special Cass County Fair tab, which includes a schedule of events and several fair-specific stories to get you geared up and ready for the fair. Inside, you will be able to read about new events, exclusive deals, where to find some of the best fair food and more.

We hope you will read it, learn something and come out to enjoy the fair. We hope to see you there!

We also wish all of our 4-H participants the best of luck as they compete next week. No matter what they place in their competitions, we hope they take pride in their hard work and for taking part in a community tradition.