It’s one of the jewels of the summer.

The Franklin-Southampton County Fair — our constant North Star that reminds us summer is coming to an end and also serves as one of the area’s top social functions — opens Wednesday for four days at the fairgrounds on New Market Road.

Some of the usual attractions return — the fair queen pageant, bands both local and national, exhibits, the judging of crops and animals, crafts and handiwork, baking and sewing, as well as horseshoe contests, a dog show and a talent show.

And, of course, there will be rides on the midway and plenty of food and concessions. There will be animals of all sizes and shapes to be seen and, in some cases, petted.

There will be men with loud chain saws who can turn huge logs into tidy artwork.

In short, it offers something for just about everyone.

It’s also a place where friends meet — some of whom haven’t chatted in awhile —

where kids can be kids for a few hours and parents can be entertained, too.

Simply put, it’s the fair, our fair.