Freeborn County, the rural area surrounding Albert Lea, Minn., roughly 90 minutes south of the Twin Cities, is in the midst of a movement called “Choose Civility,” an attempt to get folks to be nicer to each other in these rancorous times. “Choose respect, consideration, empathy, and tolerance, and be part of a kinder community in Freeborn County!” the civility program website urges. The county fair seemed to be on board with that attitude, with a mission statement that calls for “a moral, clean fair which will command the support of the entire community.” Just when Freeborn County was beginning...