The 2020 Indiana State Fair has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
The State Fair Commission and Board announced Thursday it will instead offer a 4-H livestock show in August and September as a kind of replacement.
In a statement, Commission Chair Brad Chambers said vendors and partners “began falling off,” prompting the decision to cancel the weeks-long event.
The new livestock show is aimed at highlighting the 4-H youth projects that are normally part of the State Fair. It will run on weekends only in August and early September.
Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana 2020 Two-Way. Text "elections" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and the 2020 election.
Exhibitor entry fees that had already been paid will be refunded. Those who already bought admission tickets to the Fair this year can either ask for a refund or roll over their balance for tickets to the 2021 Fair.
The fair, in Indianapolis, draws around 900,000 people annually.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.