COLUMBUS — This year’s Ohio State Fair was canceled Thursday due to the concerns for public health and the costs associated with implementing safety protocols during the coronavirus pandemic.
The fair was scheduled for July 29 to Aug. 9 in Columbus. Ohio Expositions Commission members did not think it was financially possible to adhere to coronavirus-related protocols and were concerned about the long-term impact of such costs on the fair.
“After careful thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Ohio State Fair. Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all Ohioans,” said Andy Doehrel, chair of the commission. “The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity Fair would be too great, and we need to protect the Ohio State Fair for future generations.”
Commission members are developing a strategy for reopening its year-round facilities and for holding the 2021 state fair July 28 to Aug. 8.
Attendance during the fair’s 12-day run last year was 934,925.
“Our first priority is the safety of the hundreds of thousands of people involved in the Ohio State Fair each year,” said Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. “While this is a difficult decision, we feel it is necessary to protect the fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth leaders, employees, and sponsors.”
First Published May 21, 2020, 3:33 p.m.
