Fayette County cancels annual fair
By Renatta Signorini
Trib Total Media
The Fayette County Fair is the latest in the region to be canceled amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The fair board’s decision was announced in a post Monday night on the fair’s Facebook page. The event had been scheduled for July 30 to Aug. 8 in Dunbar Township.
“Our concern for the safety of fair volunteers, exhibitors, vendors and visitors is paramount,” the board said in the post. “We feel a lack of clarity from the state, as well as potential financial risk, prohibits us from operating this year’s event safely and successfully.”
The board is examining options to hold a market livestock show and sale for area children who have worked with their animals throughout the year. The 2021 fair is scheduled for July 29 to Aug. 7.
Officials with the Westmoreland Fair cited similar reasons in announcing a cancellation for 2020 last week. State officials created social distancing guidelines that limit recreational crowd sizes to 250 in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
The Big Butler Fair and smaller events including the Derry Township Agricultural Fair and the Sewickley Township Community Fair cited issues with funding as one of their main reasons for canceling. About half of the fairs scheduled statewide have been canceled this year, according to the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs.
