Clark County Fair announces cancelations, changes to 2020 edition

>>READ MORE: Clark County to hold limited fair out of ‘fiduciary responsibility’

Here are some other changes in the works:

1. There will be no admission or tickets.

The only way in will be the main gate off Route 41. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and be attended by a Clark County Sheriff’s deputy.

2. Barn occupancy may need to be managed at all times.

Per current orders from the Ohio Department of Health, mass gatherings are still limited to 10 people or less. If that does not change before the start of the fair, the fair will ask project exhibitors to follow a staggered feed and water schedule to avoid overcrowding the barns.

The board is exploring the possibility of live-streaming shows.

3. Concessions are still being worked out.

Fair executive director Dean Blair previously told the News-Sun there would be a limited number of food options.

Around 10 vendors are expected to be at the fair, but they have not been determined yet. According to the most recent announcement, mainstays who will not be there include the Pork Producers, Northwestern and Northeastern schools, the CTC and the 4-H ice cream booth.

4. The calf and pig scrambles are still on.

Details are still being worked out, but applications are due by 4:30 on the afternoon of June 12.

Plans for a virtual auction are also still being worked out.

5. Project pre-judging will take place July 14.

4-H members will be required to sign up for judging times to space out appointments to meet social distancing and mass gathering requirements from the state.

6. Fair and 4-H royalty competitions will still go on, but some 4-H contests and events are canceled.

There will be no 4-H Baking Contest and Auction, Creative Masterpieces, photography or scrapbooking contests, but there will be a 4-H art contest. The winners of that will be eligible to participate in an auction that will be held online.

There will be no club booths in the Youth Building, 4-H and FF projects will not be displayed, and project premiums will not be paid this year.

The barn decorating and flower bed contests are also canceled.

There will be no Showman of Showmen contest or open class exhibits.

Skill-a-thons will be done July 15-17 via computers.

Applications for the royalty competitions are due July 1, and interviews will be done online.

7. Camping will be allowed.

Some might not be in their usual space as adjustments will be made to comply with social distancing guidelines from the state.

A spot will require purchase of a ticket, and a camping information packet is forthcoming from the fair.

The fair was originally set take place July 24-31, but the fairboard decided last week to hold only a junior fair out of concern for the unpredictability of the pandemic.

That means it will consist primarily of events related to 4-H, the youth organization founded in the county in 1902, and FFA.

More than 1,300 Clark County kids took part in 4-H last year.