Contests add to Ramona Country Fair

Those who missed the pie-eating contest at the country fair Sunday afternoon lost an opportunity to witness eight of their neighbors dive into lemon meringue pies — head first, no hands — with spirit, energy and anticipation of being the first to down “the whole thing.” Family, friends and onlookers gathered ‘round the contest table to cheer on the entrants, shoot video and take photos.

It was one of the highlights of a weekend of highlights presented by Ramona Chamber of Commerce assisted by a string of sponsors, volunteers and community boosters. While some have criticized what they call the unsavory element that sometimes shows up at a carnival once the sun sets, that wasn’t what we saw as we strolled through the carnival portion of the fair and saw children having fun under the watchful eyes of parents and other adults, and pre-teens and teens seemingly inconspicuous as they checked out who else was there.

Many Ramona young people look forward to the fair each summer. For teens, it’s a place to go to be seen, to connect with classmates they may not have seen since June, to have fun, to be kids. For families, it’s a place to enjoy family time, to create memories. For young children, it’s discovering cotton candy, carnival rides, trinkets and whatever else catches their eye.

We’re thankful Ramona still has a country fair. As long as the community refuses to surrender a good thing to a few trouble-seekers who may show up now and then, this family tradition will have a place here.