The annual break in the summer doldrums that is the county fair is at our doorstep.

Unfortunately, this year, there will be competing fairs going on.

The Leavenworth County Fair in Tonganoxie marks its 87th year, kicking off Tuesday and continuing through Saturday.

In Lawrence, the Douglas County Fair already has some activities underway, but the major public events will overlap with the dates of events in our neighboring city to the north.

It’s unfortunate the two events overlap this year instead of taking place on consecutive weeks as has been the recent experience. They deserve strong community support, and here’s hoping conflicting schedules don’t keep them from getting it.

Folks with money to spend at the livestock auctions won’t have to worry about conflicts, however. In Tonganoxie, that event is Friday evening and, in Lawrence, the sale will be the following evening. If you’ve never attended one, you’ve missed something pretty special.

Both fairs will involve hundreds of 4-H participants and volunteers, and provide entertainment for the public at the same time they instill values and show off the hard work and versatility of young people.

Exhibits ranging from vegetables to poultry, and projects involving geology and photography and livestock will be presented and judged.

Alpacas, llamas, pies, petting zoos and pony rides will be available. There will be tractor pulls (antique, hot-rod and one for kids’ pedal tractors), demolition derbies, a turtle race, a parade, rocket launches, musical entertainment and carnival rides.

The ongoing activities provide all of us an opportunity to get out of the house, enjoy some animal noise and perhaps some unfamiliar food, get some dust, mud or other stuff on our shoes and simply have a good time.

So go and have fun and enjoy the last days of summer. The start of school is not far off!