01-16 Fairbook 07-11-20.p1

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CLAY COUNTY FAIR
SPENCER, IOWA | WWW.CLAYCOUNTYFAIR.COM | POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
The following are portions of a statement
released by Jeremy Parsons, Clay
County Fair CEO and Manager:
For the past several weeks, we have
gathered information, talked with public
health authorities, and dialogued with
our partners in an attempt to fulfill
the Fair’s mission of providing a “safe
family atmosphere” in the midst of the
COVID-19 pandemic. After exploring all
options, the answer is clear. We simply
cannot. The Clay County Fair will not be
held in 2020.
The absolute minimum to keep our
entire Fair family safe would be following
the current public health recommendations
of social distancing and increased
sanitation. Unfortunately, we discovered
that implementing these measures
would have eliminated some of our
greatest Fair traditions and made other
traditions unrecognizable. We couldn’t
imagine limiting the standing-room-only
crowds at the draft horse show or the
4-H beef show. Fifty percent capacity at
our free entertainment tents? No way.
We didn’t want partially empty exhibit
buildings so we could properly socially
distance our vendors. We didn’t like the
thought of making your family wait in socially
distanced lines to enjoy Grandpa’s
Barn or the Depot.
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.
For more than a century, your unwavering
support has made us “The World’s
Greatest County Fair” and we cannot
thank you enough. Just like you, we are
disappointed that we won’t be together
this September. More than that, we are
heartbroken because we know this decision
will impact each of you directly, and
our community as a whole. However,
while this was a tough decision, it is also
the most responsible decision to ensure
the safety of our entire Fair family, the
community, and the long-term stability of
the Fair itself.
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.
DICKINSON COUNTY FAIR
SPIRIT LAKE, IOWA | WWW.DICKINSONCOUNTYFAIRGROUNDS.COM | JULY 18-23, 2020
MARCUS COMMUNITY FAIR
MARCUS, IOWA | WWW.MARCUSCOMMUNITYFAIR.COM | AUGUST 13-16, 2020
PLYMOUTH COUNTY FAIR
LEMARS, IOWA | WWW.PLYMOUTHCOUNTYFAIR.ORG | POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
2020 FAIR PREVIEW • SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2020 • PAGE 15