After the beautiful weather this past weekend, many of us are anxious for summer. But this year’s fair season is in limbo because of the coronavirus.
Fair organizers in the state are scrambling to figure how or if to hold their event during the coronavirus crisis.
“It’s very disappointing but our first concern is the health and the safety of the public," said Karen Zagurski, president of the Association of Connecticut Fairs.
Zagurski said some small fairs including 4-H might be possible.
“If you’re talking a large or major fair it is going to be difficult. It’s doable. But you’re going to have to hire more people, masks are going to have to be in place. You do have to do the six feet restrictions and you’re going to have to clean an awful lot. And I don’t even know we can get the disinfectants we need to disinfect," she explained.
A fair in Brooklyn, Connecticut, that has been around for more than 200 years has been canceled this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Bridgewater Country Fair and Lebanon County Fair have also been canceled.
Brooklyn Fair
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The Brooklyn Fair has been a showcase for the finest livestock, fruits and vegetables, home goods, entertainment and vendors for over 200 years, according to the Windham County Agricultural Society.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's Brooklyn fair that was scheduled to be held Aug. 27 through Aug. 30, 2020 will be postponed until Aug. 26 through Aug. 29, 2021, officials said.
All other events that were scheduled to be hosted at the fairgrounds through Aug. 31, 2020, have been postponed or canceled. No decision has been made for events after Aug. 31, 2020, officials added.
"While we are saddened that we will not be able to present the fair this year, keeping our 50,000 plus yearly guests, staff, volunteers and community at-large healthy and safe from the coronavirus is our top priority," Windham County Agricultural Society said in part in a statement.
“It brings in about 50,000 over 4 days. Umm, it’s just something we’re used to having it. So it’s going to be very, very odd not to happen," added Richard Ives, the town's first selectman.
Brooklyn Fair organizers say they cannot wait to host everyone again in 2021.
Bridgewater Fair
The 2020 Bridgewater Fair and raffle have also been canceled due to the pandemic.
We will be back stronger than ever in 2021, a Facebook post says.
Already several statewide contests, including baking, have been canceled since not every fair will be operating.
Now each fair will have to decide the fate of its festivities and Zagurski hopes people turn out for those which do go forward.
Woodstock Fair
The Woodstock Fair, which was scheduled for September, is canceled because of the pandemic.
The Association of Connecticut Fairs has a full list of events on their website here.
CORRECTION: This story incorrectly stated that the Lebanon Country Fair has been canceled. That fair has NOT been canceled - organizers continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will make a final decision on when they can safely open the fair at a later date.
