An anti-tobacco group fears that the Washington County Fair may accept advertising from a tobacco company to make up for lost revenue.

The Washington County Fair and Rodeo hasn't allowed tobacco advertising since at least 1988, according to a spokesman. Washington County's Tobacco-Free Coalition puts up $5,000 a year to sponsor the Friendship Square performance stage. But the coalition is afraid that the fair's board might make a deal next year with Copenhagen smokeless tobacco and allow the company to advertise. The fair is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys' Association, which mounts and televises rodeos all across the country. Copenhagen is a national sponsor and the fair's contract with the PRCA requires the board to consider the company's offer. Copenhagen offered to pay $500 this year for the right to hang two banners, but the fair board turned the company down Next year, Copenhagen is offering $2,500 for the right to hang banners and pass out samples. The fair's director says that the decision won't be about money, but about fairness. Political speech is no more a stranger at the fair than advertising. The right-to-life movement has a booth, as well as the Republican Party and an anti-smoking group. The fair director says that her board has to decide when it's alright to muzzle one voice -- and not another.

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