COLUMBIANA COUNTY Agricultural society elects members of fair board

LISBON -- Preparing for the 2004 Columbiana County Fair and the second annual harvest festival are the top agenda items for the new Columbiana County Agricultural Society board.
Board member John Wolf said society members elected four board members Wednesday, with about 20 percent of the society's nearly 300 members voting, Wolf said.
Robert Stark of Salem Township is a new member. He joins Elmer Zimmerman of Fairfield Township, Don Humphrey Jr. of Hanover Township and Donald McCoy of Middleton Township, incumbents who were re-elected.
The board meets the third Wednesday of each month either at the fairgrounds or the Community Action Agency offices, both in Lisbon.
The 12-member board oversees operation of the fair and manages its proceeds, and any other activities at the fairgrounds, Wolf said.
The board is working with the Columbiana and Mahoning Cattleman's Association, for example, in that group's efforts to build a new steer barn before next year's fair. It also is overseeing rental of some of the fairgrounds buildings to the public for winter recreational vehicle storage.
Board members serve three-year, staggered terms. To operate the fairgrounds as economically as possible, board members donate time and labor to improve the facilities.
Any Columbiana County resident can join the agricultural society for $1. It accepts members starting the first day of the fair, through 15 days before the board elections, Wolf said.
During the fair, anyone who'd like to serve on the fair board must collect signatures from society members to be eligible to run.
Wolf said society members and vendors were pleased with the society's first attempt at a fall harvest festival at the fairgrounds. The event was last weekend and included a wide range of activities from a demolition derby to equestrian events and fireworks, and midway of musical entertainment, amusement rides, carnival games and craft booths.
tullis@vindy.com