The Washington Town & Country Fair has long been known for its volunteer spirit. Fair Board members make a 9-year commitment, taking a week or move of vacation during Fair week--and still pay for their own season pass. Volunteers sell concessions, work gates, parking and more all on behalf of the organizations they serve. Volunteer firefighters wear heavy gear in high temperatures stand at the ready on the motocross track. When severe thunderstorms rolled in the Saturday night of the Fair, over 11,000 fairgoers were safely evacuated from the fairgrounds with just one minor injury reported. A leather goods vendor in his first year at the event told me when he saw the grounds at dawn on Sunday morning, he figured there was no way they would be able to open that day. What he didn't know is how much this community is willing to step up when called.