Lawnmowers allowed in demolition derby; teenagers denied
Fair board discusses changes to annual event

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Teenagers won’t be smashing up their family’s junk vehicles, but lawnmower pilots will get a chance to square off in demolition derby action this year.

Those are among changes, which also include an increase in ticket prices and parking fees, that will be on tap at this year’s Logan County Fair.

Tim Clark, owner of Smash It Demolition Derbies that handles the fair and a September derby, asked the fair board Wednesday for permission to start a juvenile division, but that idea was quickly nixed after Logan County Commissioner Jack Reser said the county’s liability insurance provider, the County Risk Sharing Authority, would not approve.

“It’s an absolute no for CORSA. They’ll sue the county and they’ll sue the fair board,” Mr. Reser said. “I hate to be the one to bust the bubble on this one, but it isn’t going to fly.”

A request to allow adults to pilot riding lawnmowers fitted with roll cages and other safety equipment, however, was looked at more favorably.

“Anything that adds to the entertainment is fine by me,” director Pam Griffin said before the board gave the informal nod of approval to the request.

Fair Board Managing Secretary Jackie Woods, during a conversation while the board was in executive session, also detailed changes in the pricing structure that will take place at this year’s fair.

Instead of a $6 per day flat rate, Mrs. Woods said the fair board previously approved admission costs of $7 per day for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Season passes are also increasing to $18 from $15. There will be no entrance fees to any events at the grandstand, she said.

The increases, she said, are driven by across-the-board cost increases for providing entertainment, putting on the fair and maintaining the building and grounds year round.

“Everything has gone up,” she said. “Just like for costs for everyone else, we are paying more to put on the fair. People can only stand so much, but we tried not to raise it too much.”

She also said there will be a $4 a day charge to park at the fairground or a $20 season pass. A combination entrance and parking season pass is available for a $30 flat fee, she said.

“I don’t want people to be turned off because of the increase, but it is a necessity,” Mrs. Woods said. “We just don’t have the facilities on this site to generate the money we need.”

In other changes, the Friday night concert, which failed to generate revenue as the board had hoped, will be replaced with a bull riding competition and pig and calf scramble.

Staple events, including Tuesday tractor pulls, Wednesday and Thursday harness racing and Saturday motorcycle races will be relatively unchanged.

The same is true for free admission days. On Wednesday, children age 15 and under are admitted free most of the day, and on Thursday, veterans and senior citizens get in free, Mrs. Woods said.

The next meeting of the board is June 11. July’s meeting date, which falls during the fair, has been moved to July 2.

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