Tire Amnesty Day draws hundreds to fairgrounds

May 11—JEFFERSON — Dozens of cars weaved through the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds parking lot on Saturday morning as people sought to dispose of tires during Tire Amnesty Day.

Sarah Jammal, assistant director of the Ashtabula County Department of Planning and Development, said there was a larger than expected turnout at the event. Cars approached from the north and south, and then were directed back and forth through the parking lot until they arrived at the trailers to dispose of the tires.

Jammal said there was one trailer on site, a second was ordered to meet the needs of those bringing the tires in trailers, trucks, and small cars.

"Definitely more than we had last year," she said.

Those seeking to get rid of tires had to show proof of Ashtabula County residency and were allowed four tires for free, with a maximum of 10 tires. A $1 fee was charged for each tire past four.

The county sponsors the event to help reduce the amount of tires that end up in fields, along the side of rural roads, or even in Lake Erie. The event is funded by the Ashtabula County Solid Waste District.

Jammal said the organizers planned to weave the cars throughout the parking lot. Traffic was heavy on North Poplar Street, with people seeking access to the Tire Amnesty Day and the opening day ceremony at the Jefferson Area Girls Softball complex, just north of the tire collection area.

Jammal said the county contracts with Penn Ohio Corporation to pull off the event, and they hire contractors to move the tires from vehicles to the trailers, collect the money and direct traffic.

Jammal said county employees and people seeking community service hours for court cases also participated in the event.