By Megan Alley
Sun Reporter
The 2020 Clermont County Fair will look and feel a lot different than in years prior, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the Senior Fair is canceled, a ‘modified’ Junior Fair is still scheduled to take place, and the fairgrounds will be closed to the public.
Last month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that the decision as to whether or not to hold county fairs would be left up county fair boards and agricultural societies.
Clermont County Agricultural Society President Eric Wehrum shared his statement about the group’s decision on the Clermont County Fair’s website and social media pages.
“This decision did not come easy and please know this was a very painful and emotional process, but we must keep the health and safety of our community, our families, our kids, first and forecast,” he wrote. “We are in a different time, a different place than we have ever been and in order to move ahead, we must get going.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Clermont County Fair was scheduled to run from July 26 to August 1.
Now, as Wehrum wrote, planning for the Junior Fair is in the final stages, and details will be announced soon.
Those interested in updates are directed to watch the Clermont County Fair Facebook page, Clermont County Junior Fair Facebook page, and the fair’s website.
At this point, organizers have shared the following details for the fair:
— The 2020 Junior Fair will be open only to the Junior Fair participants and their families; the fairgrounds will be closed to the public.
— Those who have a paid camping reservation for the fair may still camp; the fair’s camping chairperson will email details on this point soon.
— Junior Fair participants are asked to stay in communication contact with their advisors and the Clermont County Junior Fair Facebook page, as there is set to be ‘a lot’ of information set to be distributed in the coming weeks.
— Fair fans’ favorite events have already committed to the 2021 Clermont County Fair, including Tracy Lawrence, who was set to headline this year’s fair concert July 31.
Moving ahead with a modified Junior Fair is expected to cost $90,000.
While the state of Ohio recently announced that it will give $50,000 to local fair organizers to be used for costs to conduct the fair in a safe manner consistent with COVID-19 health guidelines, that still leaves a sizable deficit.
To make up the difference, the Clermont County Agricultural Society has started an online fundraiser challenging the organizations Facebook followers, and others, to donate at least $1.00.
Donations may be made to the Clermont County Agricultural Society’s Venmo account at @clermontcountyjrfair.
Also, to generate revenue, the Clermont County Agricultural Society is accepting event sponsors, who will be recognized in this year’s Junior Fair book. For more information on this opportunity, email pkirk6423@gmail.com.
While many on social media have praised the Clermont County Agricultural Society’s decision to pull the plug on the Senior Fair and modify other aspects of the annual event, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some on social media have voiced their displeasure with the new plan.
Wehrum, who is a third generation Clermont County Senior Fair Director, seemed to address some of these comments and concerns in his statement.
“We could continue to focus on the negative, but we must move past it,” he wrote. “While all of us on the Senior Fair board agree this is the hardest decision we have ever made, we all agree that we are seeing people rise up to the challenge and willing to help. New ideas and new faces emerge, restoring what you know has always been there … Clermont County is a true family and we will make this happen. You must look ahead and run with it.”
Wehrum closed by writing, “Bear with us, and please, above all, be patient and kind. There are so many behind the scenes working countless hours to pull this off, and on behalf of the Clermont County Senior Fair Board … I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
For more information about the Clermont County Fair, visit the website at https://www.clermontcountyfair.org.