NORTHAMPTON — Election years often make apparent the most divisive aspects of politics and partisanship. For Dave Roitman, it’s important to keep in mind that democracy is a perpetual work in progress, and one that requires meaningful collaboration and conversations to be truly successful.

That’s what he and other organizers of the Western Massachusetts Democracy Fair hope to foster by bringing community members together to learn, share ideas and have fun while doing it this Saturday. Featuring educational tables by 13 local organizations and activities for people of all ages, the Democracy Fair invites those from Northampton and beyond to not only learn about the history and current state of democracy, but to explore the human side of it as well.

“Democracy is not just about process, it’s not just about how the votes get counted,” said Roitman, one of the fair’s organizers and member of USNF the Vote. “In order for democracy to succeed, people need to put their hearts and souls into democracy. They need to know how to show up and how to treat people with respect.”

The nonpartisan event aims to bring to light the best parts of democracy while also taking a look at what can be done to improve it on a local, national and international scale. It aims to build further momentum for a growing pro-democracy movement throughout the country while encouraging fairgoers to reach across the political aisle and forge connections without focusing on party politics or specific political candidates.

Roitman emphasized that the event will create opportunities for discussions about democracy without a partisan lens, and allow people to explore what it means to talk about democracy without focusing on party politics.

“Finding common ground, finding what we care about together — like, most parents want their kids to have a good education. That value is not rooted in a political party,” he said.

At the fair, attendees will have opportunities to learn about what various organizations are doing to preserve and improve democracy. There will also be music, a theater troupe, games and a lineup of guest speakers including state Sen. Jo Comerford, state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and the Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian, director of the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership.

Organizations featured at the fair will offer insight into various aspects of democracy, such as the League of Women Voters, which works in electoral politics, and the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, which focuses on labor politics. The Sojourner Truth School will provide insight on the history of democracy, but “not just the way it’s taught in schools,” Roitman said. Instead, they will present a progressive stance toward democracy and its evolution throughout global history.

Also featured among the groups showcasing their work at the fair will be the Movement Voter Project, sharing the importance of grassroots organizing and what certain grassroots organizations are doing.

“There’s a tremendous amount of knowledge through the eyes of these grassroots organizations about what it takes to make democracy work,” said Roitman.

Other organizations that will be in attendance include the ACLU, Climate Action Now, Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, Indivisible Northampton/Swing Left Western MA, League of Women Voters, UU Mass Action, USNF the Vote, and Voices Rising Together/Freedom Writers.

There will also be opportunities to register to vote and get involved in postcard sending and phone banking.

The fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence at 220 Main St., next to City Hall. It falls on the day before International Democracy Day on Sunday and in the midst of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

Festivities will be moved inside the Unitarian Society building in the event of inclement weather.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.