Sunday, August 25, 2002
The Canfield Fair first-aid station, bank and post office make for a convenient day at the fair.
By KATIE-NELL SCANLON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- From removing a splinter to filling up an empty wallet, the fairgrounds are equipped with everything you need.
American Red Cross, in conjunction with Rural/Metro Ambulance, coordinates the first-aid station at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
Ed Brannan, health and safety director for American Red Cross, said bee stings, cuts, scrapes, upset stomachs and headaches are among the most frequently treated ailments during the fair's six-day run.
Last year, 618 minor incidents were handled at the fairgrounds and 28 more serious cases, such as those suffering chest pains or broken bones, were transported by ambulance.
The Red Cross first-aid station is south of the grandstand and open each day of the fair from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Banking
The fair bank, which is located next door to the Red Cross station, provides fairgoers and concessionaires with a fully functioning bank.
The bank is one of the most equipped and advanced banking services of any Ohio fair. The facility contains actual teller cages for convenience and efficiency. But it's most recent addition is the ATM, which could be the start of several throughout the fair in the future.
Don Rudibaugh from Bank One in Salem helps run the fair bank, located across from the fairground's central administrative office.
Mail
Tom Rosco, postmaster of Deerfield Post Office, has worked at the fair postal service for the last seven or eight years, and said it can do basically any service of a regular post office except bulk mailings and money orders. The service issues stamps, offers express mail and guarantees deliveries.
The 2002 commemorative souvenir envelope, available during the fair for $2, is a salute to the "Heroes of 2001." This corresponds with the sale of Hero stamps now available at all post offices.
A portion of the stamp's revenue will be transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to families of emergency relief personnel who died or were permanently disabled in the line of duty in conjunction with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
The fairground's post office and bank are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the fair.