The success of this year's 68th edition of the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition certainly rates as good news.
According to final numbers released this week, more than 38,000 people attended the annual five-day, late-August show in Bible Hill.
That works out to more than 7,600 per day and, in our books, that's fantastic.
The turnout also represents a 5.1 per cent increase over 2009 and it's the largest total Ex-committee members have seen in about a decade.
OK, so it doesn't compare to the 60,000-plus who jammed the exhibition grounds some 50 years ago but that was at the height of the baby boomer era when virtually every family represented six or more tickets sold.
One could also argue that there are plenty of other entertainment options nowadays, too.
We took in the event and were thoroughly impressed with all the activities that were taking place. From the rides to the tug-of-wars to strolling through the barns to the exotic animals, it was all good fun and that was just one part of one day. Every day at the MacMillan Show Centre and the Agridome offered unique performances - from rodeos to lamb sheering demos - and the crowds were consistently outstanding.
In fact, everyone involved deserves much praise for delivering such a well-organized show.
It was also encouraging to see so many teens and young families attending and taking part - a good sign for the exhibition's future in this cyber age.
The event may not be for everyone but we say if you live in Colchester County you should make an effort to attend at least once. It's a great way to spend a summer day or evening, it supports an activity that makes our community a more vibrant place to live and, who knows, you may even decide to come back.
