The 2020 Indiana State Fair has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
The State Fair Commission and Board announced Thursday it will instead offer a 4-H livestock show in August and September as a kind of replacement.
In a statement, Commission Chair Brad Chambers said vendors and partners “began falling off,” prompting the decision to cancel the weeks-long event.
The new livestock show is aimed at highlighting the 4-H youth projects that are normally part of the State Fair. It will run on weekends only in August and early September.
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Exhibitor entry fees that had already been paid will be refunded. Those who already bought admission tickets to the Fair this year can either ask for a refund or roll over their balance for tickets to the 2021 Fair.
The fair, in Indianapolis, draws around 900,000 people annually.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
(Read the release from the Indiana State Fair below.)
Indianapolis, IN 6/4/2020 - Today the Indiana State Fair Commission and the Indiana State Fair Board announced a modified State Fair 4-H Livestock Show with additional activities that will be held on the State Fairgrounds in August. This year’s traditional Indiana State Fair will not take place. Ultimately, the difficult decision was driven by the impact of COVID-19.
“Unfortunately, key elements including vendors and partners of the Fair began falling off and so we pivoted, and found a way to still serve our communities,” said Brad Chambers, Indiana State Fair Commission Chairman.
“Safety is our number one priority. We’ve spent months working through options that would allow us to host the Fair,’ said Cindy Hoye, Executive Director of the Indiana State Fair Commission. “Agriculture and youth are the foundation of our mission and the heartbeat of the Indiana State Fair, so we are determined and proud to honor our 4-H members with a version of that State Fair experience that allows Indiana’s youth to be recognized for their dedication and hard work.”
The Indiana State Fair is an annual celebration of all things Indiana, showcasing youth and agriculture along with great food, animals, entertainment, and exhibits. It is a complex event that requires years of planning by the staff, partners and vendors. In 2019, nearly 879,000 people attended the Indiana State Fair.
Hoye said “We are grateful for the support of our State Fair Family; each one of you who makes the iconic event possible every summer. To our beloved fans, staff, sponsors, exhibitors, 4-H & FFA members, vendors, volunteers and entertainers – we look forward to being back at full strength in August 2021.”
This is not the first time the Indiana State Fair was modified or did not take place. During the Civil War and WWII the Fairgrounds was needed to support the war effort.
For more information on the State Fair 4-H Livestock Show, 4-H projects, and an updated FAQ resource, visit IndianaStateFair.com.