LISBON — The Columbiana County Fair is back to a full roster of activities and fun for the whole family. 

While county fairs are frequent throughout the state, Columbiana County offers a unique “big fair” feel to the quaint village of Lisbon. The setup of the midway and the natural sloping hill of the fairgrounds creates a three-tiered experience; livestock barns at the bottom, a smorgasbord of food offerings, several carnival games and entertainment every day at the grandstand in the middle of the grounds and rides to keep the kids, and maybe even the adults, entertained for hours at the top. 

Animals lovers can make their way through the animals barns to view animals ranging from tiny bunnies to towering draft horses, most of which are projects that are part of the junior fair. Seven different youth organizations make up the junior fair; 4-H, FFA, Campfire, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Grand and the Farm Bureau. Fair week is the capstone for kids from these organizations who put sometimes years of work into their projects. Over 700 projects–animals, crafts, etc.– are featured at the fair thanks to their hardwork. 

At the end of the week, the market livestock projects are auctioned off during the junior fair livestock sales. Market steers and dairy beef feeders are auctioned off at 6 p.m. Thursday and market goats, lambs, hogs, rabbits, chickens and turkeys are auctioned off at 9 a.m. Saturday. Both auctions will take place in the beef complex this year. Bids can be made in person or online. The online simulcast auction can be found by going to the fair website at columbianacountyfair.com

If animals aren’t for you, you can spend hours perusing the arts and crafts building and antique machinery display. You can spend hours looking at arts and crafts including photography, flowers, and handmade quilts. 

Foodies can rejoice about the endless options before them at the food vendors that line the midway. You can find all the classics such as funnel cakes, caramel apples, the signature “fair fries” and more. If you look forward to the milkshake featured at the dairy barn, you’ll have to come down to find out what flavor they’re serving this year as it is still a mystery.  

Whether you come for the animals, the food, the rides, the entertainment, the antique machinery or the arts and crafts–or maybe a little bit of everything–the Columbiana County fair is a family-friendly event that is enjoyed by all ages, so “wheel on down.” 

The fair runs from Monday until Aug. 8. Gates open at 8 a.m. Monday and admission is free until 3 p.m. After 3 p.m. admission is $6.

Tuesday through Friday, gates are open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Admission is $8 until 3 p.m. each day and $10 after 3 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $10 all day. Children under the age of 3 are admitted free daily as well as servicemen and women in full uniform. Veterans with proper ID and senior citizens, 62 and older, are admitted free on Tuesday.

More information and a full schedule of events can be found by going to columbianacountyfair.com.