There will be no Kansas State Fair in 2020.
The state fair board voted to cancel this year’s event amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The reversal comes just a week after the board had initially voted to continue with the fair. However, concerns from vendors and the community led them to adjust plans, with nearly half of the vendors cancelling amid worries about delays with travel quarantines, difficulties in putting crews together and the cancellations of other fairs, including Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
The board says it is still interested in finding a way to safely hold its livestock and 4H event.
Riley County Extension Director Gary Fike announced last week that most activities at the Riley County Fair had been switched to a come and go format, including the cancellation of its 4H exhibit in addition to the cancellation of the carnival and Kaw Valley Rodeo.