(Le Mars) — After more than two and a half hours of discussion, the Plymouth County Fair Board voted to post-pone the 2020 edition of the fair until 2021. The fair board voted 14-7 for postponing the fair. Discussion focused on the COVID-19 virus, along with the restrictions that would need to be implemented. Following the vote, the fair board issued a statement regarding their decision. Fair board president Loren Schnepf was emotional when reading the fair board’s position.
During the discussion, Plymouth County Extension and Outreach Co-coordinator, Ann Schoenrock informed the board of Iowa State University’s position with regards to mass gatherings involving 4-H members, which involves Extension and Outreach programs. Among other things, Schoenrock says the insurance
company that covers Iowa State University Extension would not allow for a 4-H Food Stand. Schoenrock says the Iowa 4-H programs under the direction of Iowa State University stipulates that no youth are to gather in a large setting. Plans are underway to allow 4-H and FFA members the opportunity to
share their exhibits to be judged. Schoenrock says the rules do not allow for livestock exhibits to be penned and housed overnight at the fairgrounds.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Plymouth County Statement On The Post Postponement Of The 2020 Fair
Fair board members discussed the possibility of holding a “Show and Go” allowing 4-H and FFA members to bring their animals, but allowing those animal exhibits to return home within the same day. Iowa State Fair president Dave Hoffman of Le Mars attended Thursday’s meeting and shared with the Plymouth County fair board some of the thoughts and statistics that were
discussed on Wednesday when the Iowa State Fair Board decided not to have a fair this year. Plymouth County fair board vice president John Ahlers shared with other board members the concern about having a fair that wouldn’t be up to the usual standards and unable to feature all the aspects that have made the Plymouth County Fair the great tradition known to its attendees. Last year’s fair had more than 112,000 visitors during the five-day event.
