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LISBON -- The Columbiana County Fair ended Sunday with two people injured in the pit area during the demolition derby after tumultuous stormy weather conditions all week caused the cancellation of several grandstand shows due to unsafe track conditions.
According to county Fair Board President John Wolf, a juvenile in the pit area was injured by a derby contestant's car. He didn't have any information on the injured juvenile's condition, saying Monday they were waiting to hear.
A man in the pit area was injured also when a tire blew, with debris hitting him in the head. Paramedics on the scene were there within minutes treating the injured, who were flown separately after being transported to the landing zone located on Dickey Drive, off of Saltwell Road.
Lisbon Fire Chief Mark Hall said his department had three LifeFlight events on Sunday, with one unrelated to the fair and then the two people injured in the pit area of the demolition derby. Apparently there was also a driver injured who was taken by ambulance for treatment.
Wolf said there was also an unrelated cardiac event involving a fairgoer on the midway and another with heat exhaustion, both on Sunday.
"Our hearts are with the families," Wolf said.
Hall complimented the fair board, saying the contingency plan in place for handling emergencies ran flawlessly. He explained that traffic for parking for the fair off of Saltwell Road follows Dickey Drive and had to be shut down for the helicopters since the landing pad is along Dickey Drive. NorthStar EMS was on duty at the fairgrounds and Hall gave a big thanks to Hanoverton Fire Department and Winona Fire Department for their help on the scene. Lisbon Fire Department was on the scene for the demolition derby.
"It was crazy," Hall said.
When asked about people in the pit area, Wolf said "everyone who goes in the pit area has to sign a waiver," adding that 99 % of the people are family members of the participants in the demolition derby.
He said medical staff are on the fairgrounds every day, with NorthStar on site and two first aid stations. One station is located near the barns and one is on the midway near the grandstand. The medical personnel have golf carts for their use to get to where they're needed.
Wolf has been part of the fair board for at least 25 years and has seen some weather incidents over the years, but nothing like what they experienced this year for the fair.
On Wednesday night, the Sebra Extreme Bull Riding & Barrell Racing was canceled due to track conditions, followed by the derby pull Thursday morning, then the Smoke & Noise Truck & Tractor Pull Friday night and Saturday Night Power Pull on Saturday.
Out of an abundance of caution, the events were canceled out of safety concerns for the participants and animals for the rodeo event and for the participants and equipment for the other events, due to the conditions of the track from the weather.
Wolf admitted they've received some flack over the no refund policy, but he said they're no different than other county fairs in the area, with no refunds provided when an event is canceled. He said other county fairs held the same week were in the same situation.
He explained there are static costs related to these events and considerations for the production company and the stock company.
"We were ready to go when we canceled," Wolf said.
The weather also created parking issues and issues in the ride area.
"It's just devastating to the fairgrounds," he said.
Gate numbers were still being calculated as of Monday afternoon, but Wolf said the attendance totals will be lower.
"With Friday and Saturday cancellations, the attendance plummeted," he said.
As for next year, as with all years, the fair board will be reviewing all their policies and see what can be done better.
"We're looking forward to putting this behind us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved in the accidents. We're hoping for a better year in the 2027 season," Wolf said.