With Monday’s announcement of the cancellation of the 2020 Arkansas State Fair, members of FFA chapters at schools across the state were left in shock and believing their hard work would go unrecognized.
But a slight ray of hope remains on the horizon.
The Arkansas Livestock Show Association (ALSA) made the decision to cancel this year’s annual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSA General Manager Doug White says the board will consider holding a livestock show from Oct. 16-25, the fair’s originally scheduled 10-day run.
Mountain Home High School FFA Chapter advisor Josh Baker describes the reaction to the decision.
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The state fair annually draws more than 400,000 patrons, creating a situation where White says the board could not create a safety plan meeting pandemic restrictions.
The plans for a livestock-only show remain under discussion, with maintaining safety the top priority.
“We’re extremely disappointed to cancel the 2020 event, but we still have hopes of hosting a junior livestock show,” says Bruce Maloch, board chair. “If we do work out a plan for a livestock show, of course, we’ll practice all safety protocols including mandatory masks, social distancing and hand-washing stations.”
Whether Mountain Home will participate will also be determined by safety concerns, Baker says.
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Plans have not been announced on the future of the Baxter County Fair, but Baker says students would love to have the chance to show off their livestock, and the decision to participate will also be made according to safety.
Dates for the 2021 Arkansas State Fair have already been announced. It will begin its run on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, and conclude on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.
“Our board and staff will have additional time to plan next year’s fair and that’s exciting,” says Maloch. “We’re motivated to organize the best Arkansas State Fair this state has ever seen. With the help of our wonderful corporate sponsors and business partners I know the 2021 fair will be an incredible event.”
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