The 2020 Indiana State Fair has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
The State Fair Commission and Board announced Thursday it will instead offer a 4-H livestock show in August and September as a kind of replacement.
In a statement, Commission Chair Brad Chambers said vendors and partners “began falling off,” prompting the decision to cancel the weeks-long event.
The new livestock show is aimed at highlighting the 4-H youth projects that are normally part of the State Fair. It will run on weekends only in August and early September.
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Exhibitor entry fees that had already been paid will be refunded. Those who already bought admission tickets to the Fair this year can either ask for a refund or roll over their balance for tickets to the 2021 Fair.
The fair, in Indianapolis, draws around 900,000 people annually.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
