EAST PALESTINE STREET FAIR Despite complaints, cost prohibits relocation

EAST PALESTINE -- The American Legion's annual street fair won't be back on Market Street unless someone volunteers to pay for the move.
Council members said at their Monday meeting that it is not council's place to order the legion to move, nor is the city obligated to pay for such a move.
Citing noise, traffic and parking problems, about 600 residents petitioned council to move the street fair from Rebecca and Walnut streets back to Market Street. They said the amusement rides in particular are too close to their homes.
The fair was set up on Market Street until five years ago when it was moved because of downtown renovations.
Councilman Jeff Rowland said members of the American Legion Post 31 who sponsor the fair are willing to work with any independent group that wants to raise money to pay for the move. Council usually approves the legion's permit for the fair in January, he said.
Rowland said it would cost the legion about $10,000 -- most of the street fair profits -- to move the fair back to Market Street. The street fair each June is the legion's biggest fund-raiser of the year, and much of the money is given to local charities, Rowland said.