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With the Union County Fair approaching, the board released its schedule Thursday with few changes.
Ben Adamson of the Union County Fair board said the most notable change is that the queen parade will be held 5 p.m. Saturday at the Union County Fairgrounds. In the past, the event has typically been held on Sunday, but with the beef show and demolition derby on Sunday, the board felt it would help reduce crowds. Additionally, the board is requesting only family members of the queen and princess candidates attend the coronation 6 p.m. Thursday.
Other changes this year include the cancellation of in-person interviews and public hours for the exhibition hall will be posted, but limited, and all live stock will be shown in a “show and go” format.
“Participants will arrive the morning the show with their animal, check in and weigh, show as normal, then take animal home,” said Adamson. “The only exception to that would be any animals that are going to go through the premium auction. They must be housed on the grounds after the show until the sale (Wednesday).”
Adamson said hogs will be allowed to be brought in Friday night and penned in the swine barn, should exhibitors choose.
“Because those animals are able to be haltered and some pigs may or may not be willing to walk from a trailer to a show ring without confinement,” said Adamson. “That way they are able to show their animal safely.”
Other large animals – cattle and horses – will be checked in the morning of their shows.
Participation
While the board chose to continue with a full fair with some limitations and increased safety practices, the participation numbers are comparable to previous years.
To my knowledge, I have not had anyone call me and say they are not coming to the fair,” said Adamson.
Adamson said he’s expecting nearly 150 hogs and more than 100 beef animals to be shown this year.
“Beef numbers might be down a little bit, but they were down at weigh-ins back in December,” said Adamson. “I don’t think we’ve had anyone call off due to the COVID deal.”
Safety at the fair
As with all events drawing more than 10 people, the fair board is following safety guidelines as set forth by state officials.
“Obviously, if someone has had a temperature, had symptoms within the last 48 hours, we do not want them to come to the fair and expose anybody. If you’re a vulnerable adult or vulnerable child, we highly advise you not to come to the fair,” said Adamson.
The Union County Fair board has contracted with Innovative Industries for sanitation. Hand sanitation stations will be in bathrooms and common areas, bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized an additional two to three times daily, and signage will be posted around the fairgrounds to remind fair goers of social distancing guidelines.
“We’re leaning on the public itself to be responsible, too. If you’ve had symptoms or if you’re vulnerable, don’t come to the fair,” Adamson said. “When you’re at the fair, at all times, if you can, please practicing social distancing. And if you choose to, wear a mask or wear a face shield ... We’re going to do whatever we can to make it as safe as possible for everybody.”
A full schedule of the Union County Fair is available on the Iowa State Extention website at www.extension.iastate.edu/union. The schedule will also be published Tuesday in the CNA.
Individuals unable to attend the Union County Fair can view a live stream of the queen coronation and live stock shows at www.ksibradio.com.