FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

BARNUM - The Carlton County Fair is in its 122nd year and has never been cancelled.

But, two months ago there was some doubt to whether the fair would even take place.

"Right where we're standing right now was under water, our house was underwater, we lost everything from the waist down," said Kathy Wilson, of Barnum.

From Carlton to Barnum and Moose Lake, the after effects of the June flood have been devastating.

"People were packing up and leaving, saying there's no use and just packing up and leaving their homes," said Eric Berglund, of Moose Lake.

 "It's been an adventure. It's like we're camping every day. We're not settled yet. That'll probably be a month down the road maybe," said Wislon. 

Despite having no home, Kathy Wilson is working at the Carlton County Fair this weekend, a place where communities can find common ground with one another, sharing each other’s sorrows, yet also sharing joy and laughter.

"You forget all the things you left behind at home and come here and just enjoy yourself. It's great," said Wilson.

"I know there are some people that have been saying hey I need a furnace, oh I got a furnace but I need a dryer. I mean you hear a lot of that, but everybody's just excited to come and enjoy the rest of the summer," said Allysha Sample, manager of the Carlton County Fair.

"It just goes to show that we're all human and we're all in this together," Berglund said.

For the people of Carlton County, the road to recovery is a long one, but the fair shows that there are people who can help you through it.

"For the most part we are putting one foot in front of the other and we're going to make it," said Wilson.

There's still many people struggling to put their lives and businesses back together, but at least for one weekend, Carlton County can put that aside and have a little fun.