By Brian Humphrey – Contributor
As the lights dim and the last Ferris wheel ride slows to a stop, there’s a special kind of quiet that settles over Norfolk County. The week after the Fair always feels a little different — like the echoes of laughter, music, and community spirit still hang in the air.
For a few days each October, the Norfolk County Fair brings us all together. We watch children’s faces light up as they climb aboard the rides they’ve been waiting for all year — cotton candy in hand, laughter rolling through the midway. We tap our feet to local bands and feel proud to see familiar faces on stage, sharing their music with friends and neighbors.
The smells of kettle corn, smash burgers, and homemade fudge fills the fairgrounds — reminders that some of life’s greatest joys are meant to be shared. Friends reconnect over a plate of something delicious, families gather under the autumn sky, and strangers share smiles that feel like old friendships.
And beyond the lights and games, there’s something deeper at work — a celebration of our roots. The livestock shows, the 4-H barns, the produce displays — they remind us of the farmers, growers, and makers who keep Norfolk thriving year-round. The fair is their stage, and our applause is well-earned.
What makes the Norfolk County Fair so special isn’t just the rides, the food, or the entertainment. It’s the feeling that we’re part of something bigger — a community that works together, supports each other, and celebrates life in all its color and sound.
As we return to our routines this week, let’s hold onto that feeling. The fair may pack up, but its spirit doesn’t leave town. It lives on in the way we smile at a neighbor, support a local business, or gather at the next community event.
Because when the tents come down and the crowds disperse, what remains is the heartbeat of Norfolk — community, collaboration, and connection. And that’s something worth celebrating all year long.
Brian Humphrey is a dedicated Norfolk advocate, coach and mentor. His business, Successful Fatherhood, guides men and fathers from feelings of overwhelm, disconnection, and absence to becoming present, fulfilled fathers who are engaged with life and rediscovering their passions. You can visit him on Facebook or Instagram here at FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM
