The 2016 Clinton County Fair once again delivered its promise of bringing an entire county together for competition, recognition of hard work, and food, fun and games.

It takes a county — and its many workers and volunteers — to make such a mammoth, complex event run smoothly. And the fair staff manages to organize it all while still adding some new features and wrinkles each year.

We at the News Journal have also tried to take it up a notch: Last year we ran 75 photos in print and online the week of the fair; this year the total will be closer to 200.

Much thanks to the Clinton County Agricultural Society and its board — and in particular Scot Gerber and Greta Gray — for working closely with us to ensure we provide the best coverage we can by highlighting as many hard-working kids as possible.

Thanks also to 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Tracie Montague and crew. And thanks to local photographers Phyllis Cocklin and Elizabeth Clark, who shot thousands of photos over the course of 8-plus days.

And a shout-out to our News Journal staff, including reporters Gary Huffenberger and Nathan Kraatz, plus our entire crew that volunteered to staff our booth.

Thanks to the many businesses and individuals who support the fair year in and year out by working with 4-H, buying show animals, and becoming sponsors and/or advertisers.

As soon as all the fair organizers had a chance to exhale after the 2016 fair, they were busy working to make 2017 a success. And 4-Hers readied for another year of projects.

See ya at the 2017 fair!