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Union fair a family tradition

By Chuck Novara, The Southern

Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:39 PM CDT

The 129th Union County Fair continues through Saturday.

Generations of families from Southern Illinois make the fair an annual tradition.

Rhonda Maze, who showed animals at the fair when she was a youngster, now brings her own daughters, Jamie, 16, Meagan, 13 and Madyson, 8, as well as other 4-H children from Goreville to the Union County event.

"I started 20 years ago coming and showing my cattle, I enjoyed it and the kids really have a good time. The fair gives them a chance to play and keeps them busy," Maze said.

The Cotton family of Fairfield has 58 years of racing experience, and generations attend the fair. "Everyone here is real friendly. If you go into town to eat you are treated like family," Sherry Cotton said. "The fairgrounds are neat and well organized, and it is always loaded with children showing their animals and just having fun."