COLUMBIANA CO. Fairgoers delight in destruction

Fairgoers enjoy watching friends and relatives in grandstand events.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- The lure of racing motors, bright lights, flying mud and the crunch of metal on metal, all clouded in a smoky haze of exhaust, draws crowds annually to the Columbiana County Fair.
Local drivers will be revving their engines once again as demolition derbies, tractor and truck pulls and motocross racing are the main grandstand attractions scheduled at this year's fair, Aug. 2 through 8.
The grandstand entertainment will once again have a local emphasis because just as last year, fair officials decided not to offer country music bands or other big-name entertainment in the grandstand. They said the national entertainers are expensive, and the tickets don't sell well enough to offset the cost.
"When we have concerts, we can't fill seats, but if it has wheels and a motor, we'll draw a crowd," said Marion McNeal, fair secretary. She said fair-goers seem to enjoy watching their friends and relatives compete.
Demolition derbies are scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 8, in the grandstand. Motocross on Thursday, Aug. 5, and truck and tractor pulls on Saturday, Aug. 7, are other grandstand events that will feature local amateur drivers.
Other events
Sunday's events have an agriculture theme, with Cow Chip Bingo, bale tossing and a combine demolition derby in the grandstand before the fair concludes with a demolition derby Sunday evening.
Fair officials are seeking area high school students to sign up for Tuesday, Aug. 3's strong man competition. McNeal said the event is a weightlifting competition that will feature high school athletes who have been participating in weight training. Members of several area high school football teams are among those who have registered, and other students who wish to participate still can register at the fair office, she said.
Opening ceremonies on Monday evening, Aug. 2, feature the presentation of the 4-H Royal Court and the crowning of the 4-H king and queen. The royal couple preside over the junior fair events throughout the week in addition to showing their own entries.
Livestock at this year's fair will range in size from tiny gerbils to behemoth draft horses. Rabbits are a popular show animal for 4-H beginners, and 4-H officials are working to expand participation with a new show category called pocket pets.
Participants can show small household pets such as turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, ferrets or guinea pigs in open class categories this year. Next year pocket pets will be a recognized project 4-Hers can work on throughout the year and present at next year's fair, 4-H officials said.
Outstanding men and women in Columbiana County agriculture will be recognized at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with the annual county agriculture hall-of-fame induction. Inductees have made significant contributions to advance agriculture in Columbiana County.
Area growers will bring the best fruits of their labors to the fair for judging. There are new categories at this year's fair for sunflowers and eggs.
For the young and young at heart, there will be an array of carnival games and amusement rides.
Food vendors will offer traditional fair fare, with culinary delights along the midway such as hot sausage and rib-eye steak sandwiches, corn dogs, french fries, lemon shakes, cotton candy and candy apples. Besides the traditional treats, vendors will entice fair-goers with more adventurous taste buds to sample their wares, including cream-filled sponge cakes, candy bars, dill pickles and pizza -- all deep fried.