Kansas State Fair Board votes unanimously to cancel 2020 state fair

No fun at the fair this year as Kansas State Fair is canceled due to continued COVID-19 concerns, though grounds will remain in operation for some 4-H and FAA events.

The Kansas State Fair Board revealed after a meeting Monday morning in Hutchinson, Kan. their decision to cancel the fair.

Originally scheduled for Sept. 11 through Sept. 20, a vote from the board finalized the choice to cancel this year’s gathering and return next year.

The state fair contributes about $74 million to the Kansas economy annually, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Kansas State Fair Board Chair Harmon Bliss said only half of the vendors were planning on returning to the fair because of COVID-19, the virus remaining a concern for businesses.

Late last week, Kansas State Fair general manager Robin Jennison said it was beginning to appear the fair would be financially worse off going forward then not having it.

The motion was supported 13-0 by the board to cancel the fair and go with staff recommendations on how to handle 4-H and FAA events.

State Fair workers will move forward with holding livestock shows and other 4-H events on the fairgrounds.