With summer approaching, the tradition of county fairs soon will be revived — if the state allows.
County fair boards are making their plans, but some are concerned about whether they can afford to have their events this year.
Pike County Fair President Michael McKinnon said his board is planning events for a fair June 8-12 but, unless guidelines change, they may not be able to afford it.
“Right now, we’ve heard it is something like 35% capacity, special bathrooms and many other guidelines,” McKinnon said. “We’re just not sure if we’ll e able to do them.”
McKinnon said the board wants to have its entertainment lineup, but the limitation on numbers wouldn’t cover the cost of the contracts and licensing.
Also, he doesn’t know if they’d be able to meet all the requirements that would be set down by the state. Because of the size of the grounds, McKinnon said, some distancing can be done, but not enough to allow as many people as they would like.
“We just don’t have the area to do what the state mandates,” McKinnon said. “We are trying to do the right thing, but it might be fiscally impossible to do it.”
Though Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he hopes to have the state completely open this summer, McKinnon said decisions have to be made a lot sooner.
Because of the clauses in their contracts, the board likely will be making a final decision within the next few weeks, McKinnon said.
“We can’t get a straight answer,” he said. “It would be sad, because it would be two years in a row. If nothing changes we won’t be able to do it.”
Other boards also are watching guidelines but remain optimistic about having their fairs.
Morgan County Fair President Gary Hadden said his board is continuing to work with Morgan County Health Department to stay updated on all guidelines regarding events.
“The guidelines are ever changing, but we are preparing to have a fair,” Hadden said.
While the board has hired its entertainment for the weekend, Hadden said other plans still have to be made as the fair gets closer.
The traditional events like the pageants, derby, tractor pull, talent show, and 4-H exhibits will still take place, Hadden said everything will be developed and altered based on state guidelines.
“We are planning on having all that, however, we realize we may need to alter seating and whatever, depending on the state,” Hadden said. “We’ll continue to work with the health department.”
Hadden said the last thing the board wants to do is cancel the fair, though all tickets will be refunded if that happens.
The Morgan County Fair is currently scheduled for July 6-11.
The Greene County Fair board has stated its intent to have its fair on its Facebook page.
The board announced it’ll have its fair June 22-26.
Other fairs:
The Sangamon County Fair is currently scheduled for June 16-20.
The Schuyler County Fair is currently scheduled for June 29- July 4.
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