The 2009 Brookhaven Exchange Club Fair kicked off Saturday, anda downpour in the middle of the festivities didn’t stop the fun foreveryone

“We had the Civil Defense folk out there giving us directionabout what was going on, and (Lincoln County Civil DefenseDirector) Mr. (Clifford) Galey informed us that we wouldn’t haveany lightning,” said Brookhaven Exchange Club Fair Chairman TedRatcliff. “So we hung around and had a great fair after itrained.”

And by all accounts, fun was had by all.

Sarah Langston of Meadville said she brought her children,Jason, 7, and “Little” Sarah, 4, for the fun of riding the ridesand playing the games.

“We come every year, usually a couple of nights,” she said. “Iknew it might rain some tonight, but it’s as much fun for me as itis for them.”

Meg Foster and Konnor Fauver of Brookhaven dug through grab bagsthey won at one of the games, trading and comparing their prizes.Meanwhile, Shanell Jackson, 12, of Brookhaven, ambled through theExchange Club Park with cotton candy in one hand and nachos in theother.

“My mama gives me $10 for the food,” she said. “I like thecotton candy, but next time I’m getting a candy apple.”

The food and the rides are only a part of the yearly fair, whichsome nights has been known to host as many as 5,000.

Fair organizers have seen to it that there is a draw for allages, which is part of what has made the fair such a hit throughthe years. That is the reason, Ratcliff said, that the fair wasstill successful Saturday night in spite of the deluge.

“We would’ve had a full night had the rain not set in,” Ratcliffsaid. “We had to get under the roof, of course the rides had tostop for a while, but all the games continued, the eatingestablishments kept going, and the bingo didn’t slack up. We had agreat night.”

The bingo players, who tend by some of their own admissions tobe an avid bunch, came out in force in spite of the threateningskies.

“I’m here for the bingo,” said Lawrence County’s John Jackson.”My wife and I will camp in that pavilion all night if we can.”

There is also a drawing for a 2008 Rancher TRX 420 four-wheelerdonated by Brookhaven Honda. Madison’s Drew Douglas, 6, and hisbrother Grant, 2, sat astride it as their family got theirtickets.

The fair resumes Monday from 6 p.m. and will last until 10 p.m.every night through Saturday. Admission to the fair is free andtickets for the rides are only $1.

“We’ve got a report of good weather for Monday and Tuesday, andwe’re looking forward to having everyone come out and have a safeand wonderful time,” Ratcliff said.