Balloons rose from the stage while the crowd honored the troops. Families ran from the Go Gator to the Tilt-a-whirl. Children ate pink and blue cotton candy while their parents drank fresh squeezed lemonade.

With the whirl of activity around them at the Nodaway County Fair, Mark and Amber Galbraith directed their five young children to the second floor of the courthouse to attend the annual Candidates Forum.

For the most part, the children sat quietly in the front row as candidate after candidate stepped to the podium to better inform interested voters on their beliefs.

Lucy and Eliza quietly drew pictures. Yvette wanted to play puppy and chew on Chapstick from the diaper bag. But Hyrum and Gabriella listened and learned.

The Galbraith children are home schooled. Their parents decided attending the Candidates Forum as a family would be a good way to teach them how government works.

Amber Galbraith grew up in a politically active family.

“My father ran for State Legislator in 1979 and 1992,” she said, “My mother was an election judge for years. I remember canvassing neighborhoods in Salt Lake City when I was a teenager trying to get people to register to vote. I was appalled, even at a young age, at the number of people who were not registered.”

Mark, on the other hand, has not been as informed and involved in the political scene through the years. Amber keeps election dates on the calendar and encourages her husband to vote each time.

“I'm 34 years old and this is the first time I’ve gone to any type forum like the Candidates Forum,” he said. “Now, I am beginning to understand the political process I’ve taken for granted all my life.”

“I feel it is our obligation to not only research and be informed about those running for office,” Amber said. “But also to be candidates ourselves, when possible.”

The Galbraiths had objectives in attending the Candidates Forum as a family. First, mom and dad wanted their children to experience government in action. Secondly, they wanted the opportunity to shake hands with the candidates and know what they are saying.

People attending noticed, commenting on how quiet the children were and how well behaved.

“I thought the kids did well — for kids,” Amber said. “I expected better, but to their credit, there was a fair going on outside. Hyrum kept counting the lightning strikes. It was a late evening. Bed time is 8:30 p.m., so we did have to leave a bit early."

Amber said she wants the children to continue to be involved in the election process and plans to contact the candidates when the Primary Election is over.

"I am trying to make my vote count for people who won't say anything," she said. "I am trying to make necessary phone calls and be informed. It is so easy now — there is no reason not to be involved. I hope to convince other people to be involved as well."

Amber said she wants her children to be informed and involved — not complacent.

"In 20 years, our six children will be adults," she said. "I want them to be caring, informed, contributing, intelligent adults. Everything we do in our church, our home schooling — everything — is for that end result. If my children grow up, tune out and drop off, I will have failed. We have a responsibility."

Amber said she is very glad they made the effort to go to the Candidates Forum.

"It's too bad it went past bedtime — I hated to leave early," she said. "We did go get ice cream, though."

Mark said he was excited to be able to take the kids to the candidate forum and provide an opportunity for them he had not had in his own life.

"Just getting to participate in this political forum is significant," he said. "I want my children to be that much farther ahead of me and know how it all works and how they can make a difference."

The Galbraiths intend to include the election process in their home school curriculum through this election year. They will take their children to the polls with them on Aug. 5, so they can witness more about the process.

"I once heard the quote, 'Diapers and politicians have to be changed often and for the same reason,'" Amber said. "I think that is very true."