So the Tunbridge Fair — err, the Tunbridge World’s Fair — happened last week. And as is its tradition, WDEV Radio broadcast live from the Fair’s gazebo and conducted debates for the top statewide offices. It’s been an early and quasi-obligatory stop on the campaign trail for many a year.

Well, WDEV was there, but many top politicians were no-shows. Gov. Phil Scott, for instance. Also U.S. Rep. Becca Balint and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. The only actual debate featured the two candidates for lieutenant governor, incumbent Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman and Republican John Rodgers. (It was reportedly a spirited affair; you can listen here. The LG debate is in the second hour of the show.)

Otherwise, empty chairs abounded. Instead of debates, we got long interviews with the candidates who bothered to attend.

In a way, I can understand the incumbents’ reluctance to participate. WDEV’s listenership and influence have waned in recent years, as has the entire medium. Maybe the Fair is more skippable than it used to be as well. But still, it represents something deep and traditional about Vermont. None of the three absentees is in any real danger of losing. What’s the harm in spending a morning at the Fair? Get some pictures with cows and fairgoers. Press the flesh. Eat a funnel cake. And while you’re there, sit down for a low-stakes debate that shows you don’t take the voters for granted.

It’s a bit more of a bad look for the governor for at least five reasons: (1) He professes to represent Vermont values and traditions, (2) he has a longstanding relationship with WDEV, although it’s almost entirely a relationship with the no-longer-involved Squier family, (3) WDEV’s listenership and the fairgoing population are almost certainly Scott-friendly, (4) it’s a short and State Police-escorted drive down I-89 for him, and (5) his opponent is the first woman of color to capture a major-party nomination for governor. Esther Charlestin may be a long-odds underdog, but it’s disrespectful to leave her hanging.

(I’ve been told that the Scott campaign trotted out the “our invitation got lost in the spam folder” routine, which is bullshit. Neither the Fair nor the WDEV debates should come as a surprise to any competent statewide campaign.)

Which is not to excuse Balint or Bernie. The Tunbridge Fair and the debates have been a rite of passage for decades. They’re a landmark in the early stages of the general election campaign. Sure, more people will consume a debate on Vermont Public or one of the three major commercial TV stations. But c’mon, if you can’t spend a morning in Tunbridge, there’s something lacking in your soul.