With all of the serious stories reporters have to cover, we also have those fun assignments where, even though we’re working, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

One such event for me recently was the Northampton County Farm Festival.

It’s always good to get out and see everyone from the everyday citizen to county officials in a relaxed mode and enjoying themselves.

The festival was a huge success for the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors.

And even more so it was entertaining for those that attended the event.

The very first Farm Festival was held in the ‘90s but was never resurrected until last year. And if you made it out to the last year’s festival, it was scorching, literally, in 100 degree heat.

This year was little bit more tolerable, minus the drenching rain on Friday. But hey, you can’t control the weather.

The Cultural and Wellness Center proved to be a good site for the festival and also let visitors see what the complex has to offer.

This year’s Farm Festival offered more activities for festival-goers, from more rides to more local music acts.

The crowd seemed larger than last year’s as well, as an estimated 2,500 came out to see what the fest had to offer, including those from outside of Northampton County.

Word seems to be getting around about the event, therefore it seems to be receiving more support from the public.

And it’s important for the public to support such events like this.

It’s nearly summertime and with the season comes more of these localized events—Ahoskie’s Heritage Day and Indian

Summer Day, the North Carolina Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro, just to name a few.

These local events are a great asset to all of the communities in the Roanoke-Chowan area. Not only do they get people “out of the house,” but they’re a good way to promote and showcase what we have to offer here.

There always seems to be a mentality in rural communities that there is nothing to do. In contrary, there is much if you take the time to enjoy the events offered at home.

The Northampton County Chamber of Commerce and their sponsors should be applauded for bringing Farm Festival to the county.

It was two days fun for everyone who made the effort to go.

And with the public’s continued support, Farm Fest will continue in the years to come.

Amanda VanDerBroek is a Staff Writer for the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. For comments and column suggestions email: amanda.vanderbroek@r-cnews.com or call (252) 332-7209.