Board seeks community input on fair

Plans for 75th Annual Maries County Fair expected by late June

By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
Posted 6/19/20

VIENNA — The Maries County Fair Board is weighing all options in this year of the coronavirus pandemic and will be making decisions, some of them possibly tough decisions, as they decide what …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Board seeks community input on fair

Plans for 75th Annual Maries County Fair expected by late June

Posted

VIENNA — The Maries County Fair Board is weighing all options in this year of the coronavirus pandemic and will be making decisions, some of them possibly tough decisions, as they decide what this year’s Maries County Fair will look like.

The Maries County Fair Association last week released this information. It said the Maries County Fair typically is held the Wednesday through Saturday immediately before Labor Day, which this year is September 2—5. This is only three months from now.

With the Covid-19 crisis, the fair board has been able to meet only a limited number of times since November 2019. The board members must make allowances and accommodations in how they would normally plan and prepare, including different aspects of funding. They will continue to plan as best as they can and are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely, as well as considering expert recommendations and analysis including those about entertainment and sporting event venues, to determine the best course of action based on real data and analysis from experts and not emotion.

“The safety of our staff, our volunteers and our community is our first priority,” board members said. At this point, they know some fairs have canceled altogether, while others are limiting the number of days open. The Missouri State Fair has yet to make a determination on whether to proceed as planned and are monitoring that determination very closely. Board members have regulations regarding fairs from the State Health Department, MoFairs, and the CDC, and will be obtaining local health department guidance should they proceed with the fair this year.

“Having said that, we are planning for a fair but we are prepared to make tough decisions, including cancellation, if warranted. If the fair is held, this year it may not look like the Maries County Fair that we’re all used to and we certainly cannot make the 75th Annual Maries County Fair, the fair that we wanted to have.” There may not be headline entertainment, and events and number of days held may be limited. Board members will be looking at the possibility of having a demolition derby, a tractor pull and a farmer’s pull at the Motorsports Arena as well as entertainment there on The Hill. They will be coordinating with 4-H and FFA with the livestock events. “These things are still being worked on and we do not have anything set in stone, so we cannot provide further details yet. Please understand that the Fair Board relies heavily on fund raisers, book ad sales, and pre-sales of season passes to help fund the fair and we will not be able to count on any of that this year, so we must consider our financial situation as well.”

The fair board members understand that with the warmer weather, people are eager to get out and may relax their vigilance about physical distancing and personal safety. “We haven’t seen the consequences of those activities yet but will make decisions in real time as the summer unfolds.” They ask fair patrons to watch the fair association’s Facebook page for surveys and questions regarding the fair. The answers and participation in the surveys by community members will be greatly appreciated as they move forward with the decision making process. The board members hope to make a decision by the end of June but want and need the community’s input. “Thank you for your understanding as we work to make the best decision for our community.”