COBLESKILL — After hundreds of hours of hard work, residents of Schoharie County got to see their efforts pay off at the opening day of the Sunshine Fair on Friday.

The theme of this year's fair: "Schoharie County shines again."

"We wanted to let people know we're alive and well," fair President Doug Cater said. After massive flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene last August, the fairgrounds was in ruins, submerged in up to six feet of water, Cater said. Every building on the 32-acre fairgrounds was underwater except one. The flood knocked down the fence and completely wrecked the racetrack. More than 200 volunteers showed up in October with willing hands ready to wield shovels and rakes to repair the damage. The Mohawk Amish community also pitched in by restoring the horse barn.