St. Joseph County 4-H Fair returns this summer

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – The St. Joseph County 4-H Fair is set to return this summer after 2020’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fairgrounds have been used as a COVID-19 testing site since December.

“We’re itching to get back to some family traditions and I’m excited for this one," said Kristen Sikorsky-Conklin, Fairboard Director. 

The fair will run from July 2 to 10 with safety measures in place such as sanitizing the rides, mask requirements, and capacity limits to ensure safety for all guests. 

“We’re anticipating that the rest of the fair will be able to be spread out all over the grounds a little bit differently than in previous years," said Jim Caldwell, Fair President. 

Despite a new layout to the grounds this year, it won’t change traditional activities.

"The 4-H projects will be on display and we’ll have food vendors and have all the rides and everything for folks so commercial vendors will be here as well," said Caldwell. 

While planning is already underway for opening day---the biggest challenge - the chance that COVID case numbers rise ahead of this summer.

“We feel comfortable in announcing that we’re having it. There is the caveat that it may not if the COVID numbers would suddenly spike towards mid June. Things are looking pretty good where we stand now," shared Caldwell. 

Despite the unknown, fair organizers are working closely with public health officials to create a safe event for the community.

"The biggest thing is asking everyone to be patient and flexible. You know we’re all in this together and we will have to adapt to you know the new normal.”

Admission has been reduced this year to $5 - half of what it used to be. Children age eight and under are free.

For more information on the event, visit their website or Facebook page.