GREENFIELD — For 175 years, the Franklin County Fair has brought families, friends and the agricultural community together with rides, food and all manner of competitions for all ages.

And at the 175th edition of the fair this weekend, which featured “Rooted in Our Community” as its theme, all things community were celebrated, as folks from around New England flocked to the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

In a commemoration ceremony late Friday afternoon, the fairgrounds welcomed state, federal and city officials for a rededication of the Roundhouse, celebrating $1.6 million of investments over the last three years. The upgrades brought lighting, accessibility, security and infrastructure improvements to the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

“Many of you who have been around the fairgrounds for many years will know it kind of started slipping a little bit. We had a little bit of deferred maintenance, there were things we really just had to catch up on,” said Michael Nelson, president of the Franklin County Agricultural Society that manages the fairgrounds on Wisdom Way. “This is just an incredible place for all of us here. I appreciate the love I got, but I really, really have to push it all back on my team. … We really do have such an incredible team of volunteers who work so hard year-round to make this facility what it is.”

Officials present included Office of Travel and Tourism Director Kate Fox, Massachusetts Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern’s Regional Manager Koby Gardner-Levine, U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Development and Outreach Coordinator Lyndon Nichols, Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher, state Rep. Natalie Blais and state Sen. Jo Comerford.

Desorgher proclaimed Friday, Sept. 6, as Franklin County Fair Day. The Franklin County Agricultural Society also received House and Senate proclamations from Blais and Comerford.

“I’d like to say we’ve come a long way,” Desorgher said. “One hundred and seventy-five years ago, the first county fair was on the common and it was a cattle show.”

In her remarks during the ceremony, Gobi emphasized the importance of county fairs in engaging children in the agricultural communities.

“Part of the fair is making sure young kids stay involved, especially in rural agriculture,” Gobi said, highlighting 10-year-old Shelburne Falls resident Zachary Davis, who was showing off rabbits at the fair this year. “Those are the kind of investments the Healey-Driscoll administration wants to make over and over again, make it in the youth, because that’s who we need to invest in.”

At the fair Saturday afternoon, those young kids Gobi highlighted were showing off their skills in the cattle and sheep competitions.

Madison Rida, a 12-year-old Worthington resident, earned junior champion honors alongside her Ayrshire cow, Xaleigh. Madison explained the numerous responsibilities she has to undertake to care for the cows and enter these competitions.

“It’s a lot of getting up early. We have to clip them every week … and train them,” Madison said, adding that she and Xaleigh are getting ready for The Big E next week, which continues a string of several fairs she and her family have participated in. “It’s really fun.”

For Hinsdale, New Hampshire, resident Willow Coombs, 10, the Franklin County Fair was an opportunity to continue earning accolades with Lingo, her Jersey calf. Willow said she and Lingo have won awards at three other county fairs in the area, including the Cheshire Fair in New Hampshire.

“Lingo is very dependable,” she said of her companion. “I think [the fair] is really fun.”

In a similar vein, organizations like the Pioneer Valley 4-H program, which was running a concession stand at the fair, support youth in the region by providing them with learning opportunities through projects and other activities. Heather Mason, a 4-H parent and volunteer in Franklin County, said her son is enrolled in the program and has shown off rabbits at the Franklin County Fair, which has taught him how to care for an animal, while also teaching money management.

“It’s a lot of responsibilities, making friends and working together,” Mason said.

Beyond the next generation of farmers and community members participating in the show, families enjoyed exhibits, fed baby animals and hopped on rides.

“We’re here to enjoy the community contributions and watch the joy of the children,” said Greenfield resident Wyatt Howle, who was watching Elliot Howle, 3, ride one of Winchendon-based Hyridge Farm’s ponies.

In the Baby Barnyard, Greenfield resident Julia Whalen was feeding goats with Lily Whalen, 6, as they spent the afternoon together.

“I’ve been to all the fairs around here and I think this is the best one,” Julia Whalen said. “We love coming here because they have all the fun stuff.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.