Ventura County Fair Canceled, Board Of Directors Plan To Resume In 2021
VENTURA (CBSLA) — The Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 Ventura County Fair during an emergency meeting Monday.
The county's Department of Food and Agriculture's board of directors and staff met virtually to discuss canceling the 2020 fair, which was set to start Aug. 5 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
According to the Board of Directors, the decision was made after considering stay-at-home and social distancing guidelines to protect guests, vendors, staff, and others during the COVID-19 crisis.
"Every year thousands of happy faces come through the fair gates to enjoy the County's most timeless tradition," said Barbara Quaid, Fair CEO.
"It is because of those smiling faces that we are completely comfortable with this decision. We are already looking forward to welcoming everybody back in 2021 when we will resume the 145thVentura County Fair. We encourage our Ventura County neighbors and friends to continue adhering to all public health guidelines so that we can all come together again in 2021."
The Ventura County Fairgrounds have been closed since early April because of the coronavirus pandemic and Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order.
The move comes after the Orange County Fair made the decision to cancel this year's fair, its first cancellation since World War II. San Bernardino and San Diego have also canceled their county fairs, along with the California State Fair.
The LA County Fair, however, remains on for September.
As of Monday, Ventura County reported 577 cases, with 402 recoveries, and 19 deaths. There were 23 people hospitalized with 10 in intensive care units. The county has tested 11,100 people.
