While the engine roars that accompany mud bogs and ATV pulls may excite the crowds, we're glad county fairgoers throughout the region can still hear the bleating of sheep coming from the animal barn.

And we're glad there are a few places where we can still see the smile on a 4-Her's face following a blue-ribbon walk with a young swine or the glint in the best baker's eye when her blueberry cobbler pie wins it all.

After all, a little farm-style competition is what county and state fairs were all about originally. Take away that element and it's not a fair anymore -- it's just another festival.

We understand that motorized competitions have replaced displays of animal strength. As one Taylor County fair official commented: "Who has a team of horses anymore? Everyone has ATVs."

We don't mind these kinds of events and entertainment becoming a part of the mix. We just don't want to see the old agricultural part neglected as the years go by.

West Virginia is one of the most rural states in the nation. There are parts of that heritage that we should never stop celebrating.

Today's editorial is a reflection of the opinion of the Exponent editorial board, which is comprised of James G. Logue, Kevin S. Courtney, Patrick M. Martin, Matt Harvey and Nora Edinger and J. Cecil Jarvis.