Alex Fair and daughter Leiya Fair, 8, take a spin on a ride at the Butler Farm Show on Aug. 7. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

It’s been more than a month since Butler County became known on a global scale; more than a month since a gunman attempted to assassinate a former president at a popular venue; and more than a month since one of our residents’ lost his life and two others were critically injured.

Those attending the Butler Farm Show earlier this month could be seen pointing to the location of the stage where Trump had been speaking in mid-July, looking around for a view of the rooftop where shots were fired and otherwise conversing about the unfortunate event that unfolded at the venue in Connoquenessing Township this summer.

While we were there in August to report on the happenings of that traditional celebration of family farms, conversation around the July 13 rally was overheard.

But summers here in Butler County usually aren’t marred by acts of violence. They haven’t in the past, and we have to believe they won’t in the future.

We asked residents what Butler County means to them. Did the events of July 13 change that?

One of those people we interviewed told us Butler is the birthplace of the Jeep. Another said the county is our history of steel mills, a history of immigration, state parks and memories of family picnics and Little League games.

We are not defined by a singular event carried out by an out-of-county gunman at a campaign rally.

Butler is more than that.

One interviewee said a walk through the farm show grounds amid the annual namesake event is really the best picture of the county.

There’d be children showing their animals, parents reliving childhood memories, and people coming together despite political differences — or any other difference.

Citizens of Butler County don’t want the world to think a singular day defines who we are. Butler County is more than that.

It’s ours — and with that designation, we all, as residents of Butler County, must remember that.

— TL