President’s Message: Treasures Found, Treasures to Behold

By Chris Berleth

“He then closed his eyes as children do in order that they may see in the resplendent night of their own imagination more stars than are visible in the firmament; then he re–opened them, and stood motionless with amazement. Three compartments divided the coffer. In the first, blazed piles of golden coin; in the second, were ranged bars of unpolished gold, which possessed nothing attractive save their value; in the third, Edmond grasped handfuls of diamonds, pearls, and rubies, which, as they fell on one another, sounded like hail against glass.” ~The Count of Monte Cristo

In literature which recounts the tales of treasure-seekers who find their long-hoped for ‘pearl of great price’, there are often similar devices at work. A hero, most often, alone, has found the place to dig, only to be stifled in what should have been an easy search. Prevailing against what seems a foregone conclusion that the treasure never existed, they dig a little further, and strike something yet undiscovered. A jolt of energy, excitement, and anxiety threatens to overwhelms the protagonist, who against all hopes finds what they sought. Alone, the hero revels in the discovery, and returns to a childlike state, full of hope, giddiness, and desire.

On January 11, I had a miniature version of this experience.

Alone in the basement of 238 Market Street as I made final preparations for our move to our new Chamber offices, I discovered on the top shelf of a basement storage closet a nondescript moving box. Untouched for thirty years, the yellowed cardboard was dry and intact, preserved from years of a dampened basement by its height on the shelf.

Opening the lid, I discovered an envelope of black and white photographs depicting Bloomsburg in the 1950’s and 1960’s, a long-outdated tape recording of a radio show from the 60’s about the beauty of Bloomsburg, a book written by the U.S. Chamber about the dangers of communism, and a handful of nearly pristine Bloomsburg Fair Souvenir books. Aerial photographs showed a Bloomsburg of a bygone time, and yet one thing remained the same.

In the photos of the Fair, there was pure joy. One photo in particular, which depicted a monkey doing tricks encircled by spectators, showed children laughing and smiling. Another showed the size and spectacle of the event, and yet more showed pride and affection for our community.

While these treasures have either been donated to the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society or will soon be displayed in our offices, treasure seekers need not hope for such a moment to find treasure in Bloomsburg.

All you need to do, is to go to the Fair.

It’s easier than ever to find treasures at the Fair these days, whether it’s the unexpected announcement that camel rides, or hot air balloons will anoint the fairgrounds, or that a new and exciting food item may be found in the vast array of trucks and alleyways.

Perhaps your treasure is one that you return to after a year away, protected in your heart as an annual “must-see” or “must-do”.

Will you choose adventure this year, and explore the parts of the Fair which you’ve never visited before, saying under your breath, “How long has this been here? I had no idea!”

Maybe you’ll seek daring-do, getting tickets to a show, or watching in wonder as muscular horses pull impossibly heavy loads across the equine arena. You may stop and smell the roses, or the dozens of other natural beauties in the agriculture or horticulture buildings, making a wish at the Fair’s wishing fountain.

Perhaps you risk-taker, you gambler of gamblers, will part with a quarter or two for a shot at a pile of candy, or watch in awe as the PPL safety crew showcases the power of electricity and its danger.

You’ll meet old friends in line waiting for a slice of that famous pizza that you only ever get at the Fair, or leave with doughnuts dripping in maple sugar.

You’ll tell everyone that the best time to go to the Fair is this date and this time, by this gate or that parking lot. You’ll honor veterans, smile with children, and celebrate this annual tradition.

And you’ll enjoy a treasure that comes around just once a year, with energy, excitement, and maybe even a little anxiety. Join me though in reveling, will you, in the hope and giddiness, the desire and the discovery of one of Bloomsburg’s great treasures…the Bloomsburg Fair.