Texas State Fair Is Cancelled This Year Due To The COVID Pandemic

Looks like another big event has been cancelled this year due to the COIVD-19 pandemic. The Texas State Fair, which has been held in the Lone Star state since since 1886, has officially been canceled for 2020. The Texas State Fair has only been canceled a total of 8 times in history, according to the Dallas News. The first time the Texas State Fair was cancelled was at the end of World War I in 1918, then for 3 years from 1935 through 1937. The last time the Texas State Fair was cancelled was during World War II, from 191942 through 1945.

Fair officials announced on Tuesday that they will be cancelling the fair this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the nation currently. Gina Norris, the board chair for he State Fair of Texas made the announcement saying in the current COVID-19 climate, they could not find a feasible way to hold the Texas State Fair that we all know and love. Fair organizers said they couldn't implement the proper precautions needed for the safety of fair attendees and the staff. The organizers also said maintaining social distance between various fair goers would be difficult to enforce.

“While we cannot predict what the COVID-19 pandemic will look like in September, the recent surge in positive cases is troubling for all of North Texas," Norris said in a statement. "The safest and most responsible decision we could make for all involved at this point in our 134-year history is to take a hiatus for the 2020 season.” Currently there are over 9,000 Texans in the hospital for Covid-19 and over 2,700 deaths reported in the state according to the Texas Tribune.  Over 10,000 new cases were reported in the state on July 7th, according to state health officials. The Texas State Fair for 2021 is scheduled September 24th through October 17th. Find out more on the Texas State Fair and their COVID-19 update on their website.