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6/29/2009 3:32 AM

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Wednesday kicks off Greene County's month to shine. The Jacktown Fair, known as the "nation's oldest continuing fair," begins July 14 with a parade and the crowning of the 2008 Miss Jacktown Fair queen.

And 11 days after the fair closes is Waynesburg's traditional salute to weather - Rain Day.

These events, excepting the fact they are held about 20 miles apart, have a common thread. Basically, both are fairs, of sorts.

Jacktown, and we are pretty sure no one actually lives in a place called Jacktown (it was once called Jacksonville), is now Wind Ridge, and is the more traditional fair, located in a rural setting, highlighted by livestock judging, which is perhaps what makes a fair a fair.

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Of course, there is a spate of other blue ribbons to be won in other judged contests.

This Rain Day phenomenon also can be considered a fair, more of a street fair, although organizers might take exception to that label.

Both Jacktown, now in its 144th year, and Rain Day, for which records on perceptible rainfall have been kept for at least 132 years, crown queens who ride in their respective parades.

Both Jacktown and Rain Day feature food and entertainment and usually draw large crowds.

Granted, the Jacktown Fair lasts five days and Rain Day is just that, a day. Over the years, there have been festivals that have disappeared from the county landscape. The Pioneer Festival is no longer held, and there are no plans for Riverfest this year.

To us, it seems that Jacktown and Rain Day survive, not just out of tradition, but because the people who organize them are committed to see the traditions continue.

No matter the skeptics who view Jacktown as just a small country fair and Rain Day, where the pageantry, entertainment and food often overshadow the bet that it will rain that day, the old country fair and the street fair always will remain part of Greene County's heritage. But we must be careful not to overlook August's offerings. The Greene County Fair begins Aug. 9 and the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Show in Carmichaels gets under way Aug. 22. And yes, each selects a queen. What makes summer in Greene County special is that there is something for everyone.

So let the fun begin.

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