No Iowa State Fair this year

2020 Iowa State Fair Announcement
Today the Iowa State Fair Board made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Iowa State Fair until August 12-22, 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The decision was complex and involved a wide array of factors. The Iowa State Fair’s top priority is protecting the health and safety of Fairgoers, staff, volunteers, exhibitors and entertainers. Amid the pandemic, we couldn’t in good conscience put on the Fair knowing access to emergency safety services at the Fair could be limited, public transportation to and from the Fair would not be available, the constant sanitation of seemingly infinite high touch surfaces lacked feasibility, and social distancing in lines to get your favorite Fair food or walking the Grand Concourse would be difficult.

While we can’t predict how the COVID-19 pandemic will look in August, we had to make educated decisions based on the current information and guidance from health experts. Waiting any longer to make a decision would be potentially more damaging to our great Fair partners and our planning.

Not getting together this August at the Iowa State Fair will be disappointing. Our staff, volunteers, entertainers, vendors and sponsors love to come together to put on 11 fantastic days each summer. We know that the Fair isn’t just an event, it’s a way of life for many, including our friends in agriculture and our young exhibitors.

Thank you for your patience in allowing the Iowa State Fair Board, staff and partners the time we needed to thoroughly review our options for the 2020 Iowa State Fair. And thank you for your unwavering support. We can’t wait to get together again in 2021.

Please visit www.IowaStateFair.org for more information on tickets, events, and other questions.
 
Nonetheless it will be weird not seeing the two candidates go to the fair during an election year.

Do the candidates actually go to the Iowa State Fair after they have secured their party's nomination?

I always assumed they went to Iowa so much because of the caucus and then treated just like another low electoral state.
 
Do the candidates actually go to the Iowa State Fair after they have secured their party's nomination?

I always assumed they went to Iowa so much because of the caucus and then treated just like another low electoral state.

Iowa's swing state "purple" status keeps it in play especially at huge events. Probably more presidential efforts here than in NY or CA where the outcome is never in play
 
Iowa's swing state "purple" status keeps it in play especially at huge events. Probably more presidential efforts here than in NY or CA where the outcome is never in play

I never would have guessed that, but I also never would have guessed Iowa was "purple."
 
Because it’s not, but it makes Iowans feel better to say that it is.

Not sure how you could say that from a presidential perspective. Iowa has gone Trump, Obama, Obama, W, Gore, Clinton, Clinton. Most were close, the results have flipped parties, and Iowa tends to back the winner.
 
2020 Iowa State Fair Announcement
Today the Iowa State Fair Board made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Iowa State Fair until August 12-22, 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The decision was complex and involved a wide array of factors. The Iowa State Fair’s top priority is protecting the health and safety of Fairgoers, staff, volunteers, exhibitors and entertainers. Amid the pandemic, we couldn’t in good conscience put on the Fair knowing access to emergency safety services at the Fair could be limited, public transportation to and from the Fair would not be available, the constant sanitation of seemingly infinite high touch surfaces lacked feasibility, and social distancing in lines to get your favorite Fair food or walking the Grand Concourse would be difficult.

While we can’t predict how the COVID-19 pandemic will look in August, we had to make educated decisions based on the current information and guidance from health experts. Waiting any longer to make a decision would be potentially more damaging to our great Fair partners and our planning.

Not getting together this August at the Iowa State Fair will be disappointing. Our staff, volunteers, entertainers, vendors and sponsors love to come together to put on 11 fantastic days each summer. We know that the Fair isn’t just an event, it’s a way of life for many, including our friends in agriculture and our young exhibitors.

Thank you for your patience in allowing the Iowa State Fair Board, staff and partners the time we needed to thoroughly review our options for the 2020 Iowa State Fair. And thank you for your unwavering support. We can’t wait to get together again in 2021.

Please visit www.IowaStateFair.org for more information on tickets, events, and other questions.

That's a weird way to put that statement. Postpone until August 2021. Isn't that just cancelling this year and keeping next year at the same time?

Or is this about not wanting to give refunds to sponsors?
 
That's a weird way to put that statement. Postpone until August 2021. Isn't that just cancelling this year and keeping next year at the same time?

Or is this about not wanting to give refunds to sponsors?

It has to do with contracts. And this way they can have concerts come back next year and not have to refund all the tickets. It does also help with sponsorships, especially in a tough economy.
 

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