Fair to offer dirt-track racing

The fair leader says crowds want -- and will get -- noise and speed this year.
BAZETTA -- The 160th edition of the Trumbull County Fair will offer fairgoers more entertainment this year, including dirt-track car racing.
The fair at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds runs July 9 through July 16 -- Sunday through Sunday.
Of course, the fair will have its large array of food, rides, flowers, crafts and 4-H competition. The Trumbull County Junior Fair Livestock Sale will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 15.
This year marks the first time since 1995 that cars will race on the track in front of the grandstands. Racing will be Thursday, July 13.
Some of the competitors have raced at the Sharon Speedway and Tri-County Speedway. The final race is a 30-lap event.
"We're going to try it for one year," said Richard Roscoe, president of the Trumbull County Agricultural Society, which puts on the fair.
"The people like noise and speed," Roscoe said. "We needed something exciting and different."
School buses to race
Also at the grandstand, school bus races will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the 11th.
Roscoe said a company from Meadville, Pa., puts on the event. Spectators will see bus speeds between 60 and 65 mph.
There is a possibility, he explained, that the agricultural society will buy eight to 10 buses at $1,500 each for 2007 and put on its own bus races and bus demolition derby.
Capital International Productions Inc. will present its trained tigers with shows three times daily. Not only do the unique animals provide entertainment with their jumping ability, but it's also an educational program.
There will be two demolition derbies this year. They're at 7 p.m. July 12, and 6 p.m. July 16, which will be followed at about 10 p.m. by a fireworks display.
This year's tractor pull will be at 6 p.m. July 15.
Beauty pageant
The deadline to enter the Miss Trumbull County Fair 2006 Beauty Pageant is June 16, for the pageant that will be at 4 p.m. July 11, on the Bicentennial Stage.
Trumbull County girls between ages 15 and 18 are eligible. The first 20 to apply will participate. The winner will receive a $1,000 savings bond; second place, $100 bond; third, $50 gift certificate.
Those with questions about entering the pageant can call (330) 637-6010.