COLUMBIANA FAIR Take on some tough trucks

From a combine demolition derby to an Amish rock 'n' roll band, this year's fair offers something for everyone.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- BYOT.
"Bring your own truck," says Columbiana County Fair manager Terri Hunter of the fair's new event for 2001, the Tuff Truck Competition.
An interactive event for area drivers, the Tuff Truck Competition will be the grandstand's main event Aug. 3.
The fair will be July 30 through Aug. 5 at the county fairgrounds. There is no admission charge for garden tractor and antique tractor pulls scheduled July 29, nor the opening day of the fair July 30. Harness racing and the fair opening ceremonies are the main events that day as fair participants bring their entries onto the fairgrounds.
Events: From a combine demolition derby to an Amish rock 'n' roll band, this year's fair offers something for everyone, Hunter said.
The headline event of the fair is a concert by country recording artist Joe Diffie at 8 p.m. Aug. 4.
Hunter said fair officials hope the Tuff Truck Competition will prove as popular as the demolition derbies have been over the years.
Competition is open to anyone 18 or older with a valid driver's license. Competitors will maneuver their trucks through an obstacle course in a race against the clock, Hunter explained. Slaloms, jumps and twists and turns along the way should prove to be a challenge to competitors and provide plenty of action for the grandstand crowd, she said.
Demolition derbies: The popular car demolition derby will be 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5.
A combine demolition derby is part of farming-theme activities Aug. 9 that also will include cow chip bingo and men's and women's competition in hay bale tossing.
Junior fair participants will find several improvements at the fairgrounds, including an addition to the dairy barn, a new livestock sale office, and renovations to the Coliseum, the fairgrounds show arena.