TRUMBULL COUNTY Fair officials announce upgrades, new events

More deputies will keep watch for gate crashers.
By MONICA BOND
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- This year's Trumbull County Fair will be quite different from the first one held in 1846 -- and even from those in much more recent times.
Richard Roscoe, fair board president, said there will be several new events, more parking for the disabled and more security. Many electrical upgrades also were made in preparation for this year's event.
The fair runs July 11-17. Daily admission tickets Tuesday through Sunday are $7; seniors pay $3 per day. Mechanical rides are free with the purchase of a daily admission ticket.
"We're going to have a rough trucks contest," Roscoe said. "We're also going to have a semi truck pull and a diesel truck pull."
But as in years past, there will be plenty of animals, arts and crafts.
Preview
Roscoe, other board members and fair volunteers invited county officials, the press and other visitors Wednesday to a preview of this year's fair.
Everyone is hoping for good weather. Some past fairs have been soakers.
Many of the new handicap parking signs are in place. "We've added an additional 100 handicap parking spaces," Roscoe said.
Roscoe also said security will be tighter at the gates this year.
"We're adding extra deputies because, frankly, I think too many people are getting in free," he said.
Also at this year's fair will be the Antique Tractor Club of Trumbull County, which plans to have 90 tractors on display.
The club has 165 members who repair, rebuild and "spiff up" antique tractors. They had shined up their equipment for Wednesday's open house.
Les Shelar of Niles owns a 1949 Farmall Cub. He said it was "just drivable" when he bought it.
"I spent nine months, probably 30 hours a week, restoring it. There was lots of rust," he said.
The oldest tractor in the club is a 1944 Allis-Chalmers owned by Ed and Jeff Cole.
Judging for the second annual Miss Trumbull County Fair Queen will be on July 12, said Michelle Griffin, 2005 pageant coordinator.
Amanda Beagle of Howland, 2004 Miss Ohio, will be one of three judges. First prize will be a $1,000 savings bond.