Following a spate of cancellations across the Golden State, the Big Fresno Fair is still on.
Summer county fairs – such as those in southern California and along the Central Coast – cancelled en masse when the state of California shuttered public activities to stop the spread of coronavirus in mid-March.
Since then, a smattering of fall County fairs – including the Madera District Fair and Merced County Fair – announced they, too, would not hold an exhibition this year.
Fresno, however, is taking a different tack.
Monday, organizers of the Big Fresno Fair confirmed via Twitter that the Fair was still on for a 10-day run in early October.
The #2020BFF is still happening this year, Oct 8-12, 14-18!— Big Fresno Fair (@BigFresnoFair) June 22, 2020
The Fair will have one dark day – Oct. 13.
In a statement to The Sun, Fair management said the 2020 schedule’s reduction to 10 days and shift in schedule was attributed to a vote by the Fresno Fair board to better align with horse racing availability and increase the number of overlapping attractions available.
Details on how the 2020 Fair will operate are forthcoming as plans are still being developed with public health guidance, Fair officials added.
“The health and safety of Fairgoers, staff and the community is paramount as Fair Management continues to work closely with the Fresno County Department of Health to finalize operational plans that align with local, State and CDC guidelines for COVID-19 such as social distancing, face coverings and other safety measures,” the statement from Fair management reads.
“Fair Management’s goal is to continue this longstanding tradition with concerts, live horse racing, Fair food, competitive exhibits and carnival rides. As with everything COVID, things remain fluid and the Fair is prepared to adjust plans as needed in order to hold some type of Fair in October.”
This story will be updated.
