Statement just released from The Linn County Fair:
Due to the ongoing social distancing guidelines and additional precautions taking place to help slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Linn County Fair Association, has made the difficult decision to cancel the grounds and grandstand entertainment for the 2020 Linn County Fair.
“After consulting with Linn County Public Health, the Linn County Board of Supervisors, and other stakeholders, it was determined this was the best decision due to the uncertainty of what the public health situation may look like at the end of June,” says Linn County Fair Board President Albert Martin.
The Linn County Fair Association, in partnership with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Linn County and Linn County 4-H, are working to fulfill the fair mission of providing opportunities to the 4-Her’s, FFA members, and youth of Linn County to showcase their talents and accomplishments despite the cancellation of all grounds and grandstand entertainment for the 2020 Linn County Fair.
“We recognize that we are in the midst of an unprecedented situation and are working with our 4-H staff, volunteers, and FFA partners to determine the best solutions for our 4-H and FFA exhibits,” said RaeAnn Gordon, County Director for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Linn County. “Our youth have been working on their exhibits for months and we want to ensure they are able to present them either in person or on a virtual platform.”
Details regarding the 4-H/FFA exhibits and events are still being finalized and Linn County 4-H plans to email details to 4-H/FFA members in mid-May.
“As we navigate through the current unknowns, we want to thank the community, our sponsors, and our partners for continuing to support the Linn County Fair,” Linn County Fair Board Vice President Jennifer Dunn tells The Big Show. “The Association is continuing to look for ways the community can enjoy some favorite fair events virtually during the 2020 fair week and will share plans as they are finalized.”
The Linn County Fair Association hopes to see everyone at next year’s fair-June 23-27, 2021. For more information regarding this year’s fair and for updates about events at the fairgrounds, please follow the Linn County Fair on Facebook and online here.
FAQs 2020 Linn County Fair:
What is the status of the 2020 Linn County Fair?
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of the social distancing guidelines and restrictions that will be in place during fair week, the Linn County Fair Association has made the heart-breaking decision to cancel all grandstand and grounds entertainment for the 2020 Linn County Fair. The health and well-being of all fair participants, vendors, performers, volunteers, and visitors remains a top priority for the Association.
Which Linn County Fair events will be affected?
Grandstand Events
Many of our grandstand entertainment have agreed to book for the same dates for the 2021 Fair. Stay tuned as the grandstand events are confirmed/rebooked for the 2021 fair.
- Sawyer Brown Concert
- If I purchased tickets for the 2020 Sawyer Brown Concert and if they are booked for the 2021 Fair do I need to get new tickets or can I use the ones I purchased?
- YES: Any purchased Sawyer Brown concert ticket for the 2020 Grandstand Event can be exchanged for the 2021 Linn County Fair Friday Night Concert.
- If you are exchanging your purchased ticket for the Sawyer Brown Concert, all you will need to do is bring the hard copy of your purchased ticket with you to the 2021 grandstand event and use the same ticket to get into the event.
- If you would like to exchange your purchased 2020 Sawyer Brown Concert ticket for an event of equal or lesser value, you will need to bring the hard copy of your purchased ticket to the Grandstand Ticket Booth during the 2021 Fair to exchange it.
- Will there be refunds for any tickets that were purchased prior to the announcement of the cancelation of the grandstand events for the 2020 fair?
- Refunds will issued through July 31, 2020. For online ticket refunds, please contact Etix directly by clicking here and submitting the request there or call 1-800-514-3849 during normal business hours Monday through Saturday 9am EST to 8pm EST and Sunday 12pm EST to 8pm EST.
- Grandstand Ticket Vouchers
- If I won a 2020 ticket voucher, will the voucher be honored for the 2021 Grandstand events?
- Yes, all 2020 ticket vouchers will be honored for the 2021 fair.
If you have any questions please click here. Thanks for your understanding and continuous support of The Linn County Fair.
Other Grounds Events
The following events are canceled for the 2020 fair and rescheduled for the 2021 fair.
- Youth Day
- Community Appreciation Day
- Carnival
- Free Grounds Activities
- Ag Educational Zones
- Cock-a-doodle Zoo
- Farm Bureau Free Entertainment
- Coors Light Beer Pavilion Entertainment
- Military Appreciation Day
Open Static, Photography, and Other Shows
- Open static & photography: Details to come regarding a virtual show.
- Kiddie Kalf will be canceled for the 2020 fair and rescheduled for the 2021 fair.
- Little Shepherd will be canceled for the 2020 fair and rescheduled for the 2021 fair.
- Quilt Block Contest: Voting of the 2020 quilt blocks will be done online, more details to come.
- 2019 Quilt Block Challenge Quilt Raffle: For the 2021 Fair, the Association will be raffling off the 2019 and 2020 finished Quilt Block Challenge Quilts.
Queen Contest: canceled
Mr. & Miss Little Linn County Fair Contest: details to come
Contests
- Bale Stacking Contest –canceled
- Stroller Races –canceled
- Homebrewing –details to come
- Fairy Garden Contest –details to come
- Other contests –details to come
- Live Stock Auction –to be determined; details to follow
Fair Store: The Fair store will be closed and will open back up in 2021.
What does this mean for Linn County 4-H/FFA events, static, livestock shows, etc?
For all 4-H related events including, but not limited to, the list below, please click here for the most up to date information.
- 4-H/FFA Livestock Shows (Beef, Bucket Bottle Calf, Cat, Dairy Cattle, Dog, Dairy Goat, Meat Goat, AOB Goat, Horse & Pony, Pet, Poultry, Rabbit & Cavy, Sheep, Swine)
- 4-H/FFA Static Exhibits
- 4-H Wardrobe/Fashion Exhibits
- 4-H Communications Presentations (Working Exhibits, Educational Presentations, Extemporaneous Speaking, Share the Fun)
- Linn County Youth Council Pie Auction
- Lego Build-Off Challenge
- Locally Linn Contest
- Fair Dance
- 4-H Club Booths
See above, under “Open Static, Photography, and Other Shows” for information about the Kiddie Kalf and Little Shepherd Show.
What does this mean for my Partnership for the 2020 Fair?
We want to thank you for your support of The Linn County Fair, and as our entire community navigates the impacts of COVID-19, we appreciate your patience and flexibility as we have been working carefully to lay out a practical path forward for all stakeholders following the cancellation of the grandstand and grounds entertainment. This is an unprecedented time that is presenting challenges few of us could have ever imagined, but The Linn County Fair Association remains dedicated to supporting our partners, our youth, our volunteers, and our community.
We have developed four options for our 2020 partners that we feel strike a balance between the realities dictated by the current situation and our desire to ensure you have the opportunities available to fit your current business goals. As a nonprofit organization, the annual Linn County Fair is our largest revenue generator and helps to cover the fairground facilities and operating needs. Below are the options for your consideration.
- Donate your 2020 Partnership to help cover our annual operating costs so we can still run and be ready to put on the 2021 fair.
- Donate your 2020 Partnership toward the 4-H/FFA portion of the 2020 fair. We are still working with Extension to determine if shows will be live in -person or hosted on a virtual platform, but either way we will still have expenses of the judges and premiums.
- Donate your 2020 Partnership to a Capital Improvement Project. The largest Capital Improvement Project we need funds to complete is the First Aid Station and Mother’s Room that is part of the newly built Farm Bureau Pavilion.
- Move your 2020 Partnership to the 2021 Fair at the same level. Once planning begins for the 2021 fair, your account rep will get with you and verify where you want to dedicate your partnership based on the events being planned.
Your account rep will connect with you in the upcoming days to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have regarding your 2020 Partnership. Please feel free to email if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Will my vendor registration be refunded?
Please click here to contact officials regarding any questions concerning vendor agreements for the 2020 Linn County Fair.
How can I help to support the Linn County Fair?
Linn County Fair is a 501-C3 non-profit and the annual fair is the largest source of income to cover fair and year around expenses for the fair and grounds. With the cancelling of our grandstand and grounds entertainment for the 2020 LInn County Fair, it will create financial challenges for our organization.
Our hope is to return in 2021, bigger and better than ever, but we need your help! If you are able to provide a tax-deductible donation in support of our mission, you can mail a check (made out to Linn County Fair) to the address below:
Linn County Fair
PO Box 329
Central City, IA 52214