The Kansas State Fair Board decided June 30 to hold the Kansas State Fair as scheduled, Sept. 11 to 20 in Hutchinson. The board voted 8 to 5 to move forward with plans for the annual event, though the fair’s status had been in question as state fairs around the country are being canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19.
Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, advised the board to cancel the fair this year from a health standpoint because he said he doubted fairgoers would maintain social distancing guidelines or wear masks. On June 29, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced a statewide mandate for Kansans to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing of at least 6 feet could not be maintained, including outdoors, effective July 3.
More details about Kansas State Fair plans are available at kansasstatefair.com.
“This decision has been complex and difficult,” said Fair Board President Harmon Bliss in a press release. “We have explored countless ideas and plans to open the 2020 Kansas State Fair. Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees, our vendors, our fairgoers and our community while continuing a tradition that also generates millions of dollars for the Kansas economy.”
According to the Kansas State Fair website, changes for this year will include:
- Mandatory face coverings in buildings and other specified areas.
- One-way directional lanes in buildings.
- Requirements for the handling of food and condiments.
- Midway guidelines.
- Show ring safety measures for livestock competitors.
- Purchasing tickets during the Fair will be limited to certain gates to reduce interaction and contact. Fairgoers are encouraged to buy tickets online and at Dillons at discount.
Shauna Rumbaugh can be reached at 620-227-1805 or [email protected].
