Courthouse Fair Approach
Make your courthouse square the place to be

In the old days, the courthouse square was the hub of the community for miles around. Bring back that time for a weekend or a day by holding a fair in the courthouse square and, in the process, inform folks about what your county does for them. Some attractions to get people there:

Home-Farmer's Market.
Since County Government Week falls in April, home gardens might have surpluses to be shared. Set aside part of your square for an old-fashioned Farmer's Market, reserved for the home gardener.

Have a health exhibit.
Call local clinics, hospitals and doctors and ask them to provide blood pressure screening, vision testing, AIDS information talks and brochures and diet information.

Don't forget the music.
Whether your county has one high school or six, make music part of your festival by having a musical program on the courthouse stairs once or twice each day.

Set up the county's own exhibit.
Things to do:

• give a voting booth demonstration;
• stage a real public opinion poll on an item of genuine interest to your citizens;
• have all the county offices open and decorated with posters that explain what the office does.