By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

EATON, Ohio — With five food pantries and one community shelter in the county, Preble County Fair officials made it their goal again this year to assist needy residents in the county with a food drive.

“We call it ‘Preble County Give Back,’ and anyone who donates a canned good receives a free grandstand pass to see the truck and tractor pull action on Aug. 2,” said Fair Manager Duane Grimme.

This is the second year for the charitable effort by fair officials. In 2010 it netted $1,000 in canned goods and another $1,000 in cash. Grimme hopes to surpass last year’s total.

“A few years ago we thought about ways to give back to the community, and the idea came up to donate canned goods to the area’s food banks,” he said. “There are many in the county who are in need.”

Food pantries benefiting from the donations include the Higher Heights Church of God (Camden), First Brethern Church (Camden), Community Action Partnership Pantry (Eaton), West Alexandria Food Bank (West Alexandria) and Monroe Township Food Bank (West Manchester). Donations also benefit the Community Action Partnership Shelter in Eaton.

This year’s fair will be July 31-Aug. 6., with key events each day. Demolition Derby action will take place July 30, while the Ohio Colts Stakes harness racing is slated for July 31.

Local artist Kelly Crank and a rodeo hosted by Triple H will be the highlight on Aug. 1. Aug. 2 is “Preble County Give Back night,” featuring truck and tractor pulls.

Four more nights of grandstand entertainment are on the schedule. On Aug. 3 is the NATPA tractor pull; Aug. 4 is a second truck and tractor pull; Tug-a-Truck competition takes place Aug. 5; and the fair concludes on Aug. 6 with the annual demolition derby.