Medina County Fair cancels entertainment, food, grandstand events; to stage Junior Fair only

County Fair brings a whole lot of happiness  Farm animals, owners exhibit showmanship and fun

The Medina County Fair has decided to hold only a Junior Fair in 2020. This image shows a 4-H Club member and goat at the 2018 Medina County Fair.The Plain Dealer

MEDINA, Ohio — The Medina County Fair Board is canceling grandstand and entertainment events and will limit this year’s fair to only a Junior Fair where youth can display projects and livestock.

The Junior Fair, held at the fairgrounds in Medina, will run Monday-Sunday, Aug. 3-9, the Medina County Fair Board said in a recent statement. Grandstand events, most food vendors, free entertainment, merchants and other exhibits are cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fair board voted to make the change on Sunday night, said board president Chuck Stiver.

“We made what we believe to be the best decision under the circumstances,” Stiver said Monday.

Each youth participant will receive 11 free admission wristbands for themselves and family, Stiver said. The wristbands will be good for every day of the fair.

Refund policies for grandstand, admission or entry fees are posted on the fair website.

In June, the Medina County Fair was postponed, but a week later the fair board voted to rescind the earlier decision and hold the event on its original dates, Aug. 3-9.

Concerns about the number of COVID-19 cases in Medina County, and the need to enforce the state’s mask mandate, were on board members’ minds when they voted to reduce the fair’s scope on Sunday, Stiver said. The board consulted with the Lorain County Health Department before making its decision.

Board members heard about other Ohio county fairs that opened their doors, resulting in surges of COVID-19 cases in those communities. “We don’t want that to happen,” Stiver said.

It should be easier to enforce mask-wearing and other pandemic guidelines at a smaller fair, he said.

Other Northeast Ohio county fairs are cutting days and activities to limit crowds due to pandemic concerns. The Lake County Fair is also limited to Junior Fair activities this year.

The Cuyahoga County Fair has already been cancelled, and the Lorain County Fair Board is meeting Monday evening to vote on whether to cancel its fair. The mayor of Wellington and the Lorain County Commissioners have called for the fair to be modified or canceled.

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