by Tami Hartman

Circleville, OH — The first of many improvements planned for the Pickaway County (Ohio) fairgrounds has been completed and will be officially rededicated as part of the harness racing program to be held on Saturday (June 16). The newly-refurbished John and Jean Fissell Grandstand honors a husband and wife team who have provided service and support to the county for decades.

Along with their many other activities in the Circleville community, the Fissells were instrumental in the building of the fairgrounds grandstand in 1960, working with the Jaycees to organize and oversee several matinee race cards to raise the necessary funds. John served as the Race Secretary for the county fair harness racing meets for 45 years. Jean, too, worked behind the scenes at the races for many years. In addition to sharing their time and talent with the fairgrounds, they could always be counted on to contribute funds to ongoing projects.

It was in this spirit of community-mindedness that Mr. Fissell donated what was to become one of the most eye-catching features of the fairgrounds — the 1917 steam locomotive known as the Sturm and Dillard 106. As President of the Sturm and Dillard Gravel Company, Fissell approached the Jaycees in 1976, offering the train engine which had worked at the Island Road quarry since 1920, but had been phased out in favor of more modern diesel engines. Arrangements were made for the engine to be moved to the fairgrounds where it was placed on display alongside State Route 22.

The recent purchase of this steam locomotive by the Allentown and Auburn Railroad of Kutztown, Pa., provided the fair board with the additional funds necessary to give the grandstand a much-needed face lift. The grandstand’s appearance is a preview of the new buildings planned for Phase 1 of the fairgrounds renovations to begin immediately following the conclusion of this year’s fair.

Although John Fissell passed away in 2010, Jean continues to actively support the fair and can be seen every year at the races, presenting the trophy for her sponsored race and visiting her many friends in the community. This year, she and her husband will also be recognized in a brief ceremony during the races, naming the grandstand in their honor.

Post time for Saturday’s races is 1 p.m. Admission is free and pari-mutuel wagering will be available. Harness racing will also take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Inaugural High School Harness Challenge to be contested Monday

Rivalry between the four Pickaway county high schools is nothing new, but the rivalry will take a new turn on Monday (June 18), the final day of harness racing at this year’s Pickaway County Fair.

Representatives of each high school’s athletic department will be competing for a portion of a $1,000 purse donated by the Senior Fair Board. Participating schools will earn $200, and the winner of the exhibition race will earn $400. Each high school rep will be paired with a professional harness driver in a double-seated jog cart. The race horses are being provided by local trainer Jim Arledge Jr.

Circleville High School fans will see assistant football coach Tom Strawser in action against Teays Valley football coach Mark Weber, Logan Elm Girls Varsity Basketball coach Tom Congrove, and Westfall High School’s athletic director Trevor Thomas.

“The schools have shown a lot of enthusiasm for the idea,” said Speed Committee chairman Sean Mayhugh. “The trash talk started as soon as I pitched the idea.”

Thomas didn’t even give his coaches the chance to get on board. According to Mayhugh, “As soon as he heard the idea, his response was ‘I’m in!’”

The High School Harness Challenge will join other youth-oriented activities in Monday night’s race card, including the fair king and queen acting as honorary starters and 4H outhouse races.

Once again this year, the marquee race of the evening will be the Steamin Demon pace, named after the world champion double-gaited horse born and trained right here in Circleville. This race brings high-quality older pacers to the fairgrounds and continues to grow in prestige and purse value. This year’s field will be competing for a purse of $8,500.

Post time for Monday’s races is 5 p.m. Grandstand admission is free with fairgrounds admission price. Pari-mutuel wagering will be available.