Stanislaus County Fair hoped to survive the coronavirus. It didn’t happen
The Stanislaus County Fair announced Friday that it will not happen this year, after holding out hope that it could beat the coronavirus.
The July 10-19 event at the Turlock fairgrounds became impossible to pull off even though some limits on outdoor activities have started to ease. The fair last year drew about 260,000 people, just shy of the record 261,089 in 1989.
“It is with heavy heart that we must postpone the fair,” said Matt Cranford, chief operating officer, in a news release. “Our priority is our community’s health and safety as well as our staff.”
The management is looking into holding “virtual” livestock auctions for the thousands of 4-H and FFA members who raise animals for the fair.
No VFW burgers?!
But the cancellation means no concerts, demolition derbies, carnival rides or commercial exhibits for people who enjoy this 109-year-old tradition. And nonprofit groups will miss out on popular fundraising venues, such as the beloved burger stand run by the VFW Auxiliary 5059.
The news came on the same afternoon that the California State Fair and Food Festival announced that its July 17 to Aug. 2 run in Sacramento was off. County fairs also will not happen this year in Merced, San Joaquin and Calaveras counties. The Mother Lode Fair is still set for July 2-5 in Sonora, and the Mariposa County Fair for Sept. 4 to 7.
Other community events wither
COVID-19 has canceled many other major events, including the Oakdale and Sonora rodeos and Stanislaus County gatherings celebrating apricots, chocolate, “American Graffiti” and other themes.
The county fair has been canceled only two other times since its 1911 founding as the Turlock Melon Festival. One was during World War I and the other during World War II. Stanislaus has continued to have a financially strong fair at a time when others in the region have struggled.
The board voted to cancel a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom said he did not expect mass gatherings to happen at least through August. The grounds are spacious, but people can get too close at food booths, livestock auctions, exhibit buildings and other places.
The board discussed the situation at meetings held remotely in keeping with the state’s social-distancing order. It requires residents to stay home unless they need to get essential supplies or work in jobs exempt from the edict. They also should wash their hands often and keep at least 6 feet from people not in their household.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 5:05 PM.
