Officials with the North Carolina State Fair have announced they will be canceling the massive event for the first time in almost 100 years (the last cancellation was due to World War II).
“I can think of a thousand places I’d rather be today than here delivering this news,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in a press release. “The State Fair is a tradition we all look forward to each year. It’s a vital economic engine for local non-profits, community groups, small businesses and individuals. It’s a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate everything that makes North Carolina such a great place to live. We waited as long as we could, hoping the numbers would take a turn and we’d be able to continue with our planning, but each day brought more challenges than solutions.”
The decision to cancel this year’s fair was based on the following:
• safety and health of visitors, vendors, competitors and staff,
• current COVID-19 statistics in the state,
• North Carolina’s pause in Phase II of reopening thus limiting the size of gatherings,
• contracts that cannot be cancelled at the last minute without a financial impact on the N.C. State Fair and the vendor,
• and the long-term financial health of the N.C. State Fair
The fair has now been rescheduled for next October 14-24th.