LISBON, Ohio — About a month after the Columbiana County Fair learned that a major donor to its grandstand project was pulling out, a new donor has stepped up, and for the same $300,000 that the original donor pledged.
Fair Board President John Wolf and the G. Allen Dickey family announced the donation March 10. The grandstand, which was completed in 2014, will be renamed in Allen Dickey’s honor.
Dickey, who died in 2002, was well known for giving back to the community and supporting local agriculture. He started D.W. Dickey and Son, and Hilltop Energy. In 2011, he was inducted into the county’s Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Stepping up
His sons Tim and Dave decided to make the donation after a previously pledged donation by the Green Family Trust was terminated.
“We’re very pleased when the Dickey brothers heard of our problems, they contacted me and were interested in helping out,” Wolf said. “They’ve always been a great help to the fairgrounds.”
Wolf said the fair board was planning to accept the donation at its March 16 meeting. He said he went to school with some of the Dickeys, and has known the family for many years.
“The whole family has always been big supporters of the fair and the community in general,” Wolf said.
Wolf said the fair board will begin the process of having a new sign made, bearing the Dickey family name. He’s hopeful when it is finished and erected, some kind of community event will be held.
The new grandstand seats about 2,500 people, compared to the old grandstand, which seated only 1,400. Wolf said it’s a “beautiful addition” to the grounds, and said the fair continues to find new ways the facility can be used.
