In a state, indeed, even a nation, full of county fairs, the one held every year in Clay County stands out.

Its reputation for excellence was upheld again this year. Thousands of people flocked to the fairgrounds to see all the exhibits. Artists like Trace Adkins entertained huge crowds. The tractor pulls and races thrilled hundreds of spectators.

That all sounds like what people have come to expect from the Clay County Fair. But here is what makes this year’s fair truly remarkable: about three months ago, a good portion of Spencer and Clay County was under water.

That community was hard hit by the flooding of May and June. Water damaged homes so badly that they had to be declared unlivable. Stacks of ruined furniture and appliances materialized along curbs.

But there was apparently never any serious consideration of canceling the fair. Instead, the people of Clay County got to work restoring their community and preparing to entertain thousands of people at their famous fair.

It was a remarkable display of the resilience and character of neighbors in Clay County. And everyone who attended the fair benefitted.