DES MOINES, Iowa - Organizers still plan to hold the Iowa State Fair this summer, even through the COVID-19 pandemic could affect the timing.
Fair CEO and Manager Gary Slater says it's too early to definitively know if the event will or won't take place, but operations are moving forward with the intent for a normal start in mid August.
He says timing will be important. "We need 60 to 70 days to get ready for the fair on the ground," said Slater.
Meanwhile, fair staff members are currently looking into any adjustment that might have to be made because of COVID-19. "They're looking at every aspect," Slater said. "How people come to the fairgrounds, how they would interact when they're on the fairgrounds. Because we know the world is going to be different on the other side of this pandemic."
Slater also says his staff is working with merchandisers and food vendors to prepare for this year's event.
The fair website is still counting down the days, hours and minutes until its scheduled start August 13th.
The Iowa State Fair typically draws in excess of one million visitors annually during its ten day run.