Street fair serves as big fund-raiser

The event concludes at midnight Saturday with a drawing for $5,000 cash.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Amusement rides, friends old and new, roses galore. Onion-smothered hamburgers, barbecued chicken, homemade pies.
These are just a few of the many attractions of the 115th annual Columbiana Street Fair, set Thursday through Saturday downtown.
Sponsored by the American Legion Benjamin Firestone Post 290, the street fair draws thousands of visitors each year, and is the largest annual fund-raiser for the local veterans organization, said member Dave Reash, street fair manager.
Among the fair visitors are former area residents who return to the city as many family gatherings and school reunions are scheduled during the street fair weekend, he said.
Prizes: During the three days, Legion members will sell onion-smothered hamburgers and give away $5,750 in cash and more than $2,000 in prizes from area merchants.
Spread along the quarter-mile Main Street midway will be amusement rides for adults and children by J & amp;J Amusements of Poland, a large exhibit tent with displays by various merchants and civic organizations, and food.
"Be sure and have one of those street fair hamburgers," Reash recommended. "There's good food at the Legion's Eats trailer and a lot more at other stands along the midway. "About anything you can imagine, we have."
Dinners: Grace United Church of Christ at 140 S. Main St. has been selling barbecued chicken dinners during the street fair for nearly 30 years.
Connie Scullion of the church said members are preparing to sell about 2,200 chicken dinners during the three days.
"We do run out," she said. "Sometimes the line is pretty long. It's best to come early, especially on Saturday."
Scullion said church volunteers are baking pies, and made 47 gallons of applesauce last weekend. They will spend Monday turning 50 bushel of cabbage into coleslaw. The meal also includes a choice of a baked potato or home fries.
Events: Other annual events include the Chamber of Commerce photography show and the Columbiana Rose Society rose show.
Photography contest entries will be on display in the exhibitors tent. Winners in several categories receive cash or gifts, with the people's choice winner taking home a $50 savings bond.
The 41st annual rose show will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Sky Bank, 104 S. Main St. The roses will be available for sale at 9 p.m.
Reash said although parking downtown is limited, there will be shuttle service from Firestone Park each day. Main Street will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday for fair set-up to begin, he noted.