Columbiana Street Fair opens Thursday

COLUMBIANA -- The weekend following Labor Day marks a special time for the city, as it hosts its 138th annual Columbiana Street Fair in downtown.

From Thursday to Saturday, Sept. 4-6, Columbiana is the place to be as downtown is filled with a variety of attractions, ranging from carnival-style rides and concessionaires, up and down Main Street from the city's traffic circle to Pittsburgh Street.

American Legion Post 290 has hosted the event since 1920, when it took it over from Columbiana merchants.

The first Columbiana Street Fair was held on Saturday, Sept. 19, 1885, when it was a single-day even, resembling patterns more after a county fair with judging of community entries.

With their leadership, the Legion expanded it to a three-day event with a quarter-mile midway made up of rides, games, music, food, prizes, arts and crafts, only taking a break in 1943 due to World War II.

Now under the direction of current fair manager Jacob Sevek, it has grown to the second largest street fair in the state behind Loudonville and serves as one of the biggest fundraisers for the Columbiana American Legion post, its Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion through not only the sale of vending spaces but also gate wristbands for the midway rides.

Sevek noted no major changes in previous years; however, he is excited about the stage's addition to the area. That will allow him to reintroduce live entertainment to the Columbiana Street Fair, which has been absent the last few years.

Food vendors will join the Legion Post trailer, which will be selling Legion burgers during the three days. Although the street fair hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday as well as noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, both the Legion trailer and the midway ticket booth open at noon on all three days.

As part of the celebration, the Columbiana Fire Department organizes a fireman's parade, which steps off at 6:15 pm. Thursday, including dozens of participating units (including classic cars and fire trucks lining east Park and North Main streets. Anyone interested in participating should register on the street fair's website and be sure to show up by 5 p.m. Thursday at Firestone Park to check in.

All antique and classic car entrants are asked to enter the park across from Josie's Restaurant and head to pavilion 4's parking lot.

One of the highlights every year -- especially for families who include special needs members -- is their Special Needs Day, which is held at noon Friday.

For a few hours, a group of nearly a hundred children enjoy private fair time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday at the Columbiana Street Fair, where the Legion Provides them with a free lunch and a time of unlimited rides at no charge under the guidance of volunteers.

In addition to American Legion Post 290, event sponsors include CSI Environmental, Shaker Woods Festival Inc., the Columbiana Tourism Bureau, Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission, Sitler The Printer Inc., Columbiana Barber Shop, L&M Greenhouse LLC, Straight From The Tap, Yarian Construction, Clark Carney Realty Group and Stop Traffic Graphic.

Sevek said that this is the third year CSI Environment not only provided the trash receptacles but dumped them at no charge.

For more information, including the wristband prices and hours, visit columbianastreetfair.com.