CLEVELAND — More of Ohio's county fairgrounds operators are raising money through rentals, because the one-week or shorter fairs simply don't raise enough to sustain operations.

        The grounds are courting trade shows, auctions, holiday attractions and any other possible renters to fill the calendar and generate money, said Don Klingler, executive secretary of the Ohio Fair Managers Association.

        “Like everything, it's getting more expensive to operate and maintain these grounds,” Mr. Klingler said. “Unless you start raising gate fees to equal that of amusement parks — which nobody wants to do — off-season use of the facility is the only way.”

        There's a wide disparity in rental income among county fair grounds in northeast Ohio.

        At the top, an aggressive pursuit of renters generates $200,000 for the Cuyahoga County fairgrounds, representing 20 percent of its budget. Last year events such as a music festival, a how-to fair and a rib cook-off were held there.

        At the other extreme, the Lorain County fairgrounds in Wellington raises $14,000, or 1.9 percent of the fair budget.

        Usage pumps vitality and community value into a fairgrounds, officials said. That is especially important in Cuyahoga County, where there has been periodic talk of closing the Berea grounds and developing the 115 acres.

        A rental effort began about 30 years ago at the Summit County fairgrounds, said Howard Call, president of the Summit fair board. Renters used part of the 65-acre fairgrounds in Tallmadge during 49 of the 51 nonfair weekends last year, generating $140,000, he said.

        In Geauga County, fair officials are considering building a 20,000-square-foot convention center to attract conferences and trade shows. Fair board marketing administrator David Beten said he regularly turns away rental inquiries because of the lack of meeting space.

        Nonfair events can bring problems, however. In Lake County, the fair board was stung in 1996 when a promoter promising a family-oriented benefit for domestic violence victims instead delivered a rap concert that included wet T-shirt contests and nudity.

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