Our Fair this year has this theme – Rooted in Tradition.  And it certainly is.

 The Fair began in 1874, just one year after Ventura became a new county, separating from Santa Barbara on January 1, 1873.  Quoting from The Journal of Ventura County, a publication of the Museum of Ventura County, 2009 edition, Volume 52, Number 1.

                “Today, the fair is a mirror that reflects the past and measures the current

                State of agriculture, population, and the changing culture of Ventura County.”

 

Today, in 2017, we celebrate our traditions with our 142^nd Ventura County Fair.  With a few exceptions during World War II, the fair has occurred every year since 1874.  It reminds us of our traditional relationships with the land through our agricultural resources and our traditional ways of celebrating with racing (the original fair was mostly horse racing), Ferris wheels, Midway games, ice cream, hot dogs, cotton candy and lots of entertainment. 

 

Tradition is wonderful.  Tradition, however, is not static and it changes as we change as a society and as a Rotary Club.  Our club traditions and ways of doing things have changed over the years.  One big change was 30 years ago when women became members for the first time.  We changed our ways of doing things when technology changed and gave us phones that do everything for us and occasionally are used as telephones.  Our membership has changed and reflects our diverse cultures.  We have avoided change, worried about change, maybe fought some changes, but finally embraced change as we grew to understand and appreciate it.  It is really the only constant in our lives and we are enriched and strengthened by it.

 

We are rooted in tradition.  Our fair reminds us of those traditions.  We can embrace tradition and move on to the future with that as our base.  Rotary’s traditions are rooted in Service Above Self and the goal to do good in our communities and our world.  Let’s honor our traditions going forward, as that is a good thing!