Columbiana fair sees many improvements

By D.A. Wilkinson

Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the commissioners provided the money because they had some to spare.

The changes are sparking more improvements at the fair.

LISBON — Fish at the county fair?

That’s just one of the many improvements at the Columbiana County fairgrounds this year.

A new steer barn estimated at $250,000 has gathered the most attention and headlines. The state originally ordered the new barn to have a firewall installed in its center, but eventually granted a variance that will allow people to see all the livestock.

But Julie Herron, the agent at the county’s Cooperative Extension Agency, also has a new office.

She will be based in a new 16-foot-by-20-foot office where her former office was in an ancient trailer she described as “that little tin box.”

Herron is an ex-officio member of the fair board and works closely with the junior fair. She added, “It was definitely time for a new building.”

The trailer had no air conditioning and was boiling hot on humid days. It wasn’t level, and it leaked. The trailer was so old that, when it was removed, no one could recall where it came from.

The plan for the new office began in earnest about three years ago. Herron said the project cost about $3,000 in donations.

She credited Nate Maley of M M Homes in Hanoverton, Mark Chestnut of Chestnut Construction, also of Hanoverton, and Jay Sword and Brad Strong, both of Lisbon, with creating the building.

A dedication will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The county commissioners are to attend.

Herron’s new office has air conditioning, ample space, and furniture.

The building is technically a portable building — with no running water — but it could easily be moved if needed.

When the steer barn started going up, “That’s when the ball started rolling,” she said.

The new office — like the trailer — is beside the junior fair building. The junior fair building has new counter tops in some areas as well as a place to pick up trophies.

There’s a newly expanded flower garden between the two buildings. The garden will include a pond for colorful koi fish.

In the garden, there is a new monument to Larry Shasteen of East Liverpool. The longtime coordinator of the county junior fair died in December. “He lived for the junior fair,” Herron said.

The commissioners haven’t funded the extension well in recent years, in part due to a lack of money. The commissioners this year gave the extension about $16,000 because agriculture is the county’s largest industry. That’s far less than the county had given the service years ago.

Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the commissioners provided the money because they had some to spare. Hoppel said of the extension, “We feel they are very important to the county.”

The fair board will have a noon meeting July 31 at the building.

It may be a little crowded with the 12 board members, but, Herron said, “We’ll make it work.”

wilkinson@vindy.com