Staff photo / Bob Coupland Jeff Ford, a member of the Vienna Historical Society, stands outside the historic-style theater building at the Trumbull County Fair’s historic village. The theater is the newest addition to the village, but only the exterior will be finished in time for this year’s fair, which kicks off Tuesday.

BAZETTA — When visitors go to the Trumbull County Fair, they will have the opportunity to see the newest addition to the historic village.

A historical-style theater building has been added, which joins a coal mine exhibit introduced in 2023. The fair opens Tuesday and runs through July 14.

Jeff Ford of the Vienna Historical Society said the exterior of the theater will be available for viewing with plans to have the interior completed in 2025. Lights have been placed by the theater for better viewing.

The theater building was donated by Millcraft Barns, which several years ago donated a saloon building.

Christine Novicky of the Vienna Historical Society said the historical village will have a saloon, blacksmith shop, jail, coal mine, gas station and candy store, as well as historical society exhibits inside the old Bazetta Christian Church.

“We like being able to showcase the history of the county. Inside the church, different historical societies from around the county can showcase their artifacts in display cases with historical society members available to speak,” Novicky said.

She said there also are candy sales, a history scavenger hunt and a pen pal post office inside.

Ford said he visited the old Robins Theatre in Niles before it was taken down to see what the inside looked like. Ford met with Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz to get a look inside.

“It was surreal being inside, but it gave me the idea for the theater building here. I could not believe the size of the building,” he said.

Ford said there are 20 to 22 theater seats from the Copper Penny Lodge in Vienna, which is used as the meeting place for the Vienna Historical Society. Plans are to add theater-themed decorations, including chandeliers and old-style radios, where people can listen to shows from the 1940s and 1950s.

The one-story theater has a stage area where people can perform.

Ford said they have a projector to show old movies, including one from 1903, on a large screen inside the theater. He said information will be compiled on local theaters such as the Opera House in Cortland, Wellman Theater in Girard and Robins Theatre in Niles. Displays of each will be placed on walls inside the theater.

The walkway around the building will be lit with lightposts. Plans are to make it handicapped accessible.

Ford said he and his brother, Scott Ford of Austintown, will have the interior completed for 2025.

In 2017, the local historical groups began adding to the historical village.

“A lot of people tell us they come to the fair to go through the village. It makes us feel good we are doing something for the community,” he said.

Ford said Bob Vargo, who has done theater work and worked with performers such as Mae West, provided guidance on what to do inside the theater building.

Plans are to sell brass plates to be placed on the theater chairs in honor or memory of someone.

Ford said the fair’s board of directors has been supportive of the projects for the historical village.

“This really lets everyone step back in time. It helps kids understand local history. This is very visual,” he said.

Ford said the jail was added in 1971, the church in 1973, gas station in 1983 and since 2017, the blacksmith shop, saloon, gem mine and theater.

Novicky said she likes coordinating the local history groups to come to the fair to showcase their items.

“We get to talk and exchange ideas. There are several historical groups this year,” she said.

Novicky said they are always looking for volunteers to help at the historic village.

Trumbull County Fair

Tuesday schedule

8 a.m. — Admission Gate C opens (other gates open at 10 a.m.)

8-10 a.m. — Market hog weigh-in

8-9:15 a.m. — Flower show entries taken in front of flower barn

9 a.m. — Junior Fair equine English show in the Sawyer Ring

10 a.m. — Opening ceremony at the Historical Stage, exhibition halls open

11 a.m. — Market rabbit weigh-in, 4-H booth judging

11:30 a.m. — Junior Fair coronation at the Historical Stage

Noon — Vendors open

12:30 p.m. — Harness racing at the grandstand

1 p.m. — Junior Fair rabbit showmanship at the rabbit barn; flower show opens at the flower barn

1-4 p.m. — Leather and Lace band at the Bicentennial Stage

1-5 p.m. — Rides open

5 p.m. — Junior Fair staging for parade at Junior Fair area

5:30 p.m. — Harness racing at the grandstand

5:30 p.m. — Junior Fair grand march and float competition

6 p.m. — Junior Fair hog showmanship

6-9 p.m. — Jay Byrd at the Historical Stage; Jim Hein at the Bicentennial Stage

6-11 p.m. — Rides open

7 p.m. — Junior Fair parade of colors and patriotic costume contest class at the Sawyer Ring

10 p.m. — Gates close