By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County fairgoers will still be able to get their favorite deep-fried foods, watch vehicles smash into each other in demolition derbies, and reunite with old friends they see once a year at the county fair.
They won’t, however, be able to take a spin on the ferris wheel, watch the junior fair parade or bid on homemade baked goods.
The fair board decided earlier this week that the 147th annual fair would be held Aug. 3 to 10. But there will be some changes at the fair, which normally attracts more than 100,000 people.
Special days will still be dedicated for senior citizens and for veterans, despite concerns by the Wood County Committee on Aging that bringing large groups of seniors to the fair on one day could put them at risk from the coronavirus.
Rules set by the state for county fairs were loosened last week – making it more feasible for fairs to go on.
Fairs still must discourage large gatherings of people on midways or on other parts of the fairgrounds, and one-way traffic in buildings or other areas is recommended. Six-foot distancing in lines should be followed, and extra cleaning and sanitizing will need to be in place throughout the grounds.
No mask requirements were mentioned in the guidelines except for livestock judges, who come close to exhibitors.
Rides are permitted, and food concessions are allowed with restrictions. However, there will be no rides at the Wood County Fair. The company which normally provides the rides at the Wood County Fair is not operating this summer due to the pandemic.
Grandstands are limited to half their seating capacity or no more than 2,500. Spectators must sit at least six feet apart except for family members, who are encouraged to sit together.
The rules say livestock competitions can be held – with social distancing and families staying together while seated – but with guidelines. Microphones must be sanitized after each person uses them.
Virtual livestock auctions are encouraged but, if not possible, family members of participants and buyers are to get priority seating.
Camping is allowed but must follow coronavirus camping guidelines.
The fair board met with the Wood County Health Department and Wood County Emergency Management Agency before making the decision to hold the fair.
“As directors on the fair board, and with our passion for the fair, it is difficult for us to make some of these changes; however, the times we are living in at the moment require us to do so,” Fair Board President Mike Trout wrote in a letter to county citizens.
“I ask that you please believe everything we have changed or cut has been done to either comply with regulations from the State of Ohio, or to protect the future of the Agriculture Society as a whole,” Trout wrote.
Here are items that are staying, and some that have been cut or modified for this year’s fair:
- All Jr. Fair livestock shows and static displays will proceed as normal on the normal schedule printed in the fair book.
- Showmanship Sweepstakes will take place. Some of the details of social distancing and location are still being discussed, but the board voted that it will proceed.
- The Jr. Fair livestock sale for 2020 will be an entirely virtual event. It will be a donation only event and not an actual auction. This is a work in progress and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
- Sr. Fair open class, static exhibits, like the Fine Arts, Women’s World, Grange, Antique Tractors, etc., will be judged and/or displayed, but no premiums will be paid this year. Ribbons only.
- Sr Fair market/breeding livestock, open classes are canceled.
- Sr. Fair open horse shows will take place. The open riding horse shows are financially self-sufficient. The open draft horse hitch show also has the opportunity this year to be self-sufficient, due to cancellation of the State Fair Draft Horse show (which is always the same weekend).
- Commercial exhibits will be allowed.
- Food concessions will be allowed, but may change locations or directions of service lines to maintain distancing.
- Babyland will operate, with strict guidance pertaining to distancing. If an auction is held it will be silent or virtual. Most likely the chainsaw carving auction will be the same.
- No bake sales, or homemade pie auction will be held. Any sale of homemade food products is prohibited.
- Catch-a-pig contest will be held as usual, with a possible change in location.
- There will be no rides this year. The ride company was not able to maintain a full enough schedule to operate this year as well as inspection and distancing issues.
- Cheerleading, the Jr Fair Parade, the draft horse and pony pulls are all canceled.
- Free admission for Veterans and Senior Citizens will be maintained on those designated days.
- The lunchtime admission ticket will remain for another year.
- Camping will be permitted under the regulations in place for Ohio campgrounds, which includes no boxing or compounding of campers.
- Harness racing will proceed on the usual schedule, following the regulations placed on them by the state.
Due to the change in the regulations from the state last week, the issues pertaining to grandstand entertainment are still being discussed, Trout said. Those issues will be presented to the board for a decision at the regular meeting on June 25.
“The board appreciates everyone’s patience in this trying time,” Trout wrote. “We anticipate more changes to come through the last day of the fair. We will deal with them as they occur and in a manner that is in the best interest of protecting the integrity of the Agricultural Society, and the future of the Wood County Fair.”
“We ask for everyone’s continued support of the Wood County Fair as we go through these trials together,” Trout wrote.
