“The second day of the fair looks like it’ll be as busy as the first. My guess is that everyone who lives in the area showed up,” Harper said.

Staring at a Cinque Terre map in a novelty booth, Reesa said, “These five towns have become so connected, but I’m sure there was a time when they had their own identities, their own interests.”

“Who says that time is past?” Harper asked, and then, against Reesa’s protests, purchased the map and handed it to ...