Maybe next year

Any hopes for a traditional September in Clay County were abruptly squashed July 2.

For only the fifth time in its 103-year existence, the Clay County Fair will not be held this year. Officials announced last week that the COVID-19 pandemic would make it impossible to hold a safe event for fairgoers, staff members, exhibitors and entertainers, consequently forcing organizers to push everything to 2021.

"No matter how hard we tried, we couldn't find a way to give you the entire 'World's Greatest County Fair' experience that you have come to love, expect and deserve," fair CEO/Manager Jeremy Parsons said in a news release. "When this is all over, we know that Clay County, northwest Iowa and the entire region will need our fair more than ever. And, just as we have done for 103 years, we will be ready."

The fair's executive committee voted to cancel this year's event. During an interview after the announcement, Parsons said the verdict "was definitely a consensus of the group." He said response from the public has ranged dramatically.

"With something like this, social media is the only immediate feedback we can get," he said. "If you take a look at the posts and comments on the fair's Facebook page, it's been overwhelmingly positive. People are sad, but they understand the decision."

According to Parsons, fair staff members explored multiple options before ultimately determining they could not protect the health and safety of everyone during the nine-day event.

"The absolute minimum to keep our entire fair family safe would be following the current public health recommendations of social distancing and increased sanitation," Parsons said. "Unfortunately, we discovered that implementing these measures would have eliminated some of our greatest fair traditions and made other traditions unrecognizable."

Parsons also noted finding help to actually run the fair would be hard this year due to the pandemic.

"In a normal year, it is difficult to find the help. This year, it would be nearly impossible," he said. "Many people are not comfortable being around crowds for nine consecutive days, and the effect of a possible outbreak that could occur in the middle of the fair is a risk we are not willing to take."

The fair committee couldn't wait any longer to make a decision. With deadlines looming and uncertainty plentiful, members had to pull the trigger.

"While it would be nice to see into the future and know what September would be like in this unprecedented time, we don't have that luxury," Parsons said. "We must make educated decisions based on what we know today. Waiting any longer could have damaging effects to our many fair partners and the fair itself. Preparing for the fair requires financial commitment for many, including us, and we can't wind up anything that can't be unwound."

If there's any silver lining, 4-H/FFA livestock competitions will still be held this fall. Details will be made available soon from Iowa State University Extension – Clay County.

Dalayna Brugman, of Peterson, was relieved to hear she'll be able to show her pigs and goats this year. In addition to the Clay County Fair, she competes at a variety of livestock showcases across the Midwest.

"It's awesome. That's all I've been looking forward to since we've been cooped up for so long," she said. "I'm happy I'll be able to show."

Brugman, who previously attended Clay Central/Everly before the junior/senior high school closed, is heavily involved in FFA at Sioux Central as well as the Clay Raiders 4-H Club. She was eager to get out into the ring and compete against her peers.

"I'm not upset that I'll miss the attractions," she said. "I'm just thankful I'll be able to show, because that's really what I'm there to do."

The 2020 Clay County Fair was slated for Sept. 12-20. Next year's event will be held Sept. 11-19.

Information regarding gate admissions, parking passes, ticket refunds and other issues can be found on the fair's website. Staff members are in the process of rescheduling all of the 2020 concerts for 2021.

Fair leaders are already looking ahead.

"The decision to postpone the fair came with emotion and somewhat disbelief that it was really happening," said Charlie Elser, board chairman of the fair association. "But with lots of input from our partners and work by our staff, the decision was the right one. It's time to move forward and think about 2021."