The Butler County Fair has announced that the 164th iteration scheduled for June 24th through the 28th has effectively been canceled due to concerns surrounding the current global pandemic. The announcement comes after a meeting with public health officials and current restrictions to gatherings currently in place. This cancellation includes all Grandstand events, carnival, commercial exhibits, food vendors, and on grounds free entertainment. The fair board does say that if the restrictions currently in place are eased in the future they will attempt to adjust so that 4-H and FFA youth can still showcase their static exhibits and livestock projects in a safe environment. Further updates will be posted on the fair’s Facebook and website pages.
Below is the letter they sent:
Dear Butler County Fair Supporters,
We wanted to update you on the status of the 164th Butler County Fair scheduled for June 24th-28th. We recently met with our local public health officials about the upcoming fair in regards to the current Covid-19 Pandemic. Based on that meeting, as well as the current State Public Health Emergency Declaration that does not allow for any gatherings of more than 10 people at fairs and festivals, our board has made the difficult decision to cancel all non-youth related activities at the 2020 Butler County Fair. This cancellation includes all Grandstand events, carnival, commercial exhibits, food vendors, and on grounds free entertainment.
Should these declarations be adjusted in the near future to allow for slightly larger gatherings, it is our intention to try and provide an adapted schedule that would still allow the 4-H and FFA youth in Butler County an opportunity to showcase their static exhibits and livestock projects in a safe environment for all. Any potential 4-H and FFA youth activities will need to be conducted in compliance with State and Local Public Health Emergency Declarations in effect at that time to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We are working closely with the Iowa State University Extension Office personnel and local FFA Advisors to create guidelines and procedures that may allow for an adapted schedule. As further information becomes available, we will continue to post updates on our Facebook and website pages.
We are very disappointed to have to cancel these events, as I know most of you are as well. We ask for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. We also ask that you continue to support our local small businesses. Until next year, please remember to be patient and kind to others.