Once again, it’s that time of year in Selma where you find money flying out of your wallet faster than it can go in.

No, it’s not tax time &045;&045; it’s fair time.

For 46 years, the Central Alabama Fair has been a staple of the community. From rides and funnel cakes to the Miss Central Alabama pageant, it is an event that is eagerly looked forward to.

But, the unsung heroes of the fair are the men and women of the Lion’s Club. These people give up their jobs and time with their families during this week to make sure that Selma citizens and the surrounding communities have a good time at the fair.

The members of the Lion’s Club are very much a warm, giving people, with all of the money going back into the community. Yet, there appears to be little coming back to them. Listen carefully and you can hear the conversations worrying over having enough volunteers to be able to put on the fair.

Many members of the Lion’s Club are getting older, and there are not a lot of younger faces cropping in. We expect so much from these people, yet many are doing little to give back.

No, this is not the large national fair that is being held in Montgomery next week. If it was, it wouldn’t have the charm and warmth it contains now. The fair is special because of the Lion’s Club and if the people running the fair die off and there’s noone to replace them, then everything that makes the fair special might die with them.

Many people have no idea the number of hours it takes to make sure the fair happens. All they know is that one day, the fair magically pops up out at the Lion’s Park. But, that isn’t the case.

When you go out to the fairgrounds this week, take the time to scout out those men and women wearing the yellow vest with the purple lining and give them a hug. Thank them for enabling you to be able to go out to the fair and for giving back to the community. They work hard so that you can have a good time. It is time to say thank you.