Franklin County Fair officials cancel all non-4H and FFA events

Franklin County Fair officials last week announced the decision to cancel all non-4-H and FFA activities for this year’s fair amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Franklin County Fair Board President Jon Baltes said he understands that the decision comes with disappointment from the children, parents and the community but it was one made with their best interests in mind. This year’s fair was scheduled for July 15 through July 19.

“Every year, we go down to Des Moines to have a conversation about active shooters, lost children, E. coli, tornadoes, fires and with all this stuff, we have a plan what to do,” he said. “This year is something we just don’t know how to plan for. It was very hard to make this call and it wasn’t taken lightly.”

He discussions are still being had on how to conduct livestock shows and FFA and 4-H exhibit contests in a safe matter for exhibitors and judges. He said aside from the unusual nature of the current climate, plans are contingent on the fact that the situation could change on a moment’s notice.

“As of now, we’re going to try to do something, but it’s a day-by-day decision,” he said. “We can plan one thing, but if something changes, we would have to change our plans for the show.”

Barb Muilenberg, Marketing and Fundraising Manager for the fair, said that the decision makers of the fair will also plan to have something in the form of food vendors for those who will be present to show and judge. She said the fair board and other entities are working tirelessly to ensure that the hard work of the FFA and 4-H students throughout the year is not wasted. The highlight of the year for many of those children, she said, is the chance to earn recognition at the fair.

“We’re thinking about our youth and 4-H and FFA kids who have worked hard on their animals and projects,” she said. “We are going to do everything in our capacity to make sure this is the best experience possible.”

While 4-H and FFA events are still planned, the attractions, entertainment and vendors for the public have been cancelled. Baltes said some feedback has expressed concerns that the decision was made too early, but Baltes said the decision was made in line with the needs of the vendors and sponsors in order to give them adequate notice.

He added that the decision was made with input and guidance provided by the Association of Iowa Fairs and International Association of Fairs and Expositions, as well as with guidance from local and state health agencies. The final determination, he said, is that it was in everyone’s best interest to call the fair off this year.

“We just felt that, with the help of Public Health and the (Franklin County) Supervisors and (Franklin County) Emergency Management, that this was the best decision we could come up with for the fair,” he said. “It was a really hard decision for us to make and something we as a board talked a lot about.”

“We never imagined this would be a decision we would have to make,” added Fair Board member Alan Brown. “As with many events that happen throughout the year, this is a decision we didn’t see coming and we have to deal with the hand that’s dealt.”

The fair board announced that people who have purchased POP passes may receive a full refund, minus service fees. Those who would like to donate the cost of their POP pass back to the fair are welcomed to do so. Muilenberg said donations would help the fair recoup some funds lost through Convention Center cancellations and help make needed improvements to the grounds and ensure next year’s event will be a celebration of the return of the fair.

“It’s just a tough situation right now with the convention center and the loss of revenue,” she said. “Anybody willing to donate back what they’ve invested would mean the world to the fair.”

Donations are one way to help the fair in the meantime, but fair representatives agreed that the best way to support the fair is to show up in droves for next year’s event, which is scheduled for July 14 through July 18.

“The best way to support it is to still make going to fairs a part of your summer next year,” he said. “Make that part of your schedule. We’ll be ready for next year.”