Columbiana County Fair preparations underway

LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) — Ohio’s fair season is well underway, offering summer fun for all ages across the state.

The 179th Columbiana County Fair doesn’t officially open up shop for a few more days, but workers have been scrambling round the clock to make sure this year’s event goes off without a hitch.

“It’s a sense of pride that you’ve made so many people happy. You see them with their friends and families. People that come year after year,” said Columbiana County Fair Secretary Michelle Crawford.

The event draws fairgoers back year after year — a sort of agricultural reunion that generations of families look forward to each summer.

Crawford calls it a “fair family.”

The fair officially starts on Monday, July 29, with the opening ceremonies beginning at 6 pm, and runs until Sunday, August 4.

This year guests can expect a new midway act interacting with the crowd in four shows a day. A new “rough truck” event will also be introduced hosted by the same group that puts on the popular demolition derby.

“The Demolition derby on Sunday night is typically sold out. Our truck and tractor pulls on Friday and Saturday night draw a lot of people,” Crawford said.

While the animals won’t arrive until the weekend, there are still plenty of things to organize in the final hours of preparation.

“It’s just a rush of adrenaline really. All day it’s something new and exciting,” Crawford said.

Each year there are a number of capital improvement projects completed at the fairgrounds and this year is no different.

The biggest project this year was the installation of three mega-fans in the beef complex to keep guests cool and improve airflow.

Officials say they’ve recently been awarded a grant by the Ohio Department of Development providing $106,000 to replace the bleachers opposite the grandstands — a project that will start immediately following this year’s event.

Crawford says they start working the day after the fair ends on next year’s fair.

“Right now is crunch time,” she said.

General admission is $6 on preview night and $10 per day for the remainder of the fair.

To see special promotion prices and a full schedule of events, visit the fair’s website.

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