The Fair in Neshoba County, Mississippi, is not a typical county or state fair.
Rather, managed by the private Neshoba County Fair Association, it is a campground fair, which indicates it is an event during
which the majority of participants reside on Fair property for the duration of the event in cabins that have been passed down
from generation to generation. Specifically, within the 60-acre fairgrounds, much of which is occupied by the race track,
midway and parking, thousands of people come together for eight days to occupy over 600 cabins and 200 RVs.
The
groups gathered in individual spaces are composed of genetic and legal relations accompanied by a variety of other friends
and neighbors, and most remain for the entire Fair. The reality of the phenomena really is mind boggling. Yet,
since 1889, Fair goers have reconvened every year, except 1942 - 1945, and proudly proclaim the number of years they have
been in attendance.
It is for this reason "Very Close and Personal" was chosen as the title of this project
and related book. Literally, without the "personal" nature of the Fair the "very close" aspect would
never work. By twenty-first century standards, people are just too close to other people, and people are to close to
Fair events. Yet the interpersonal proximity appears to continue to work for the Fair in Neshoba County.
The
full title of the book for this project is entitled "Very Close and Personal: Faces of the 2010 Fair in Neshoba County."
The 80-page book contains 125 photographs, all of which may be previewed via the following link, where the book also may be
purchased:
