The response to this month's "Bicentennial Fair on the Square" was overwhelmingly positive. The attendance wasn't overwhelming, but it was respectable, and the people who attended all had a great time. Johnny Reed and Dawn Holley, who are the activity co-chairs for Bedford County Bicentennial Organizing Committee, worked countless hours, as did many, many others in organizing the event.

Several people have voiced the opinion that the fair, or something similar to it, ought to become an annual event -- if not on the first Saturday in May than at some other time of year. A couple of the scheduled activities at this year's fair were affected by competition from other events.

The trouble is that this year's event was organized by the Bicentennial committee -- which will cease to exist once the Bicentennial has ended. So if there is to be another Fair-on-the-Square, some other civic group or organization will need to take it over. It must still be a community-wide event; it will take more than the members of one club to organize and carry out. But someone has to take the lead and be the clearinghouse.

Speaking for no one but myself, I think that now is the time for that to happen. I think some civic organization needs to step forward now, while this year's event is still fresh in memory, and make plans to hold the fair in 2008. That way, everyone can put it on their schedule early. The people involved in this year's event can, I imagine, be valuable resources, either by getting involved again themselves or just by sharing advice and information with the people who take on next year's event.

If there is a "hook" to next year's fair, as the Bicentennial was the hook for this year's fair, it needs to be something broad, something to which everyone in the community can feel a connection. The focus doesn't need to be too narrow, or people will feel excluded and won't participate.

I think the "Fair on the Square" has the potential to grow and become a great local tradition. But it will take effort, and enthusiasm, and vision. I'm betting that somewhere out there, there's a club or organization which would fit the bill.

John I. Carney is city editor of the Times-Gazette and covers county government and other topics. His home page is lakeneuron.com .