The Exchange Club Fair has come and gone for another year, andmany people said it has been a different fair – but a good one.

“It was hotter,” said Sammi Jo Stewart, 14, of Franklin County,Saturday shortly after the fair’s final night got under way. “I’vedrank four waters already tonight.”

But it wasn’t just the extreme heat on Friday and Saturday nightthat set the fair apart.

“We’ve had a successful fair,” said Exchange Club Vice Presidentand Fair Chairman Stan Foster. “Anytime you have a safe fair, it’sa success, and financially it’s been a success, and we’ve had atremendous outpouring of volunteer support.”

From the Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Association being onstandby in case of medical emergencies or lost children, to theBrookhaven Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’sDepartment working security, to the many volunteers working therides and games, Foster said each one had given an incrediblecontribution simply by being willing to donate their time.

“That’s one of the reasons Brookhaven is so special,” he said.”I can just say, ‘Hey, I need help with the Exchange Club Fair,’and they’re ready to go.”

The crowds were a bit daunted by rain and rumors of rain earlyin the week, but came out in force as the week progressed, Fostersaid. And fairgoers said there was something about the fair thisyear that just kept them coming back.

“I don’t usually go every night,” said Stephanie Miller ofBrookhaven. “But this year it’s felt like more of a familyatmosphere. I think it’s because I haven’t seen a singlefight.”

The reason for that could be a new fence around the park. Fostersaid officials weren’t sure how it would affect the fair, but thatit has turned out to be a positive.

“It was one of those decisions that we weren’t sure how it wouldaffect things, but we’ve had our security forces indicate that itwas a good move security-wise,” he said. “We haven’t heard anegative thing about the fence, and we’re glad we did it.”

And going into Saturday night, the fair was doing well in themonetary category, in spite of dropping the previous years’drawings for a four-wheeler.

“I think we’ll find the fair is not immune to the recession, butwith the extra night it might help,” he said. “It may take eightnights to do what we used to do in seven.”

Finally, Foster said, Saturday night saw a special honor to alongtime fair fixture who has also moved on into its history.

“Our last Bingo game tonight, we’ll give away $200 in savingsbonds in memory of Virginia and Ploochie Ratliff, not just fortheir contributions to the fair but to the community through theirlives,” Foster said.

Ploochie Ratliff was the late bingo caller who gave his voicefor almost 30 of his 87 years so people could mark their cards andshout excitedly when they won. After his death in early July,fellow Exchange member Steve Melancon took his place.

“Steve has done a great job with the bingo this year aftertaking over from Ploochie, who was our very last charter member,”he said.

While the train whistle will no longer be heard across towncarrying excited fairgoers around in circles until next year, thereare children who are counting down the days almost like they do forChristmas time.

“Next year I’ll win that big fish,” said Jake Henry, 7,indicating a blow-up orange and white fish prize. “I didn’t get itthis year, so if I don’t get it tonight, I’ll get it next year. Iwant that big fish.”