Grant County Fair canceled for 2020

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair has been canceled for this year.

Fair manager Jim McKiernan said he had expected the 2020 fair to draw about 100,000 people over its five days. The annual livestock auction, where youth sell pigs, steers and lambs, is one of the largest in the state. It’s also a late-summer tradition in Grant County, dating back over half a century.

McKiernan said the fair’s livestock committee is working on an alternative that would allow kids who have purchased animals to show and sell them.

The Moses Lake Roundup and demolition derby are regular events during the fair. But they are put on by a different organization, and whether they will be held this year hasn’t been announced.

McKiernan discussed the options with Grant County commissioners Tuesday. He recommended canceling the fair, a recommendation accepted by commissioners.

“The regulations for reopening and the (Grant County) Health District requirements made the fair financially unfeasible,” McKiernan said.

Health district officials had expressed concerns about having a carnival and concerts, McKiernan said, citing the difficulty of maintaining social distancing. In light of that, carnival owner Davis Shows decided to cancel, McKiernan said.

In addition, McKiernan said he spoke with GCHD director Theresa Adkinson, and she told him Washington Department of Health officials were skeptical the state would be in the final phase of the reopening plan by August. Gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited until the final phase.

The fairgrounds hosts events throughout the year, from fundraising events to horse shows. But the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has caused numerous event cancellations from March through June. Events in July are also being canceled. All that has meant a severe hit to the fairground’s finances.

McKiernan estimated the fairgrounds has lost about $323,000 in 2020 due to canceled events. Without the carnival and concerts as attractions, chances are the fair would lose money as well, he said.

Fair officials are working with volunteers on the fair livestock committee to come up with an alternative livestock show, which would start Aug. 18. That’s the date the fair would have started.

One of the options under discussion would limit exhibitors to one animal, McKiernan said

In addition, entrants would not be allowed to enter more than one class — as an example, an entrant couldn’t show a pig and a steer. Entrants would have to choose one or the other, McKiernan said.

Only entrants, supervising adults and their animals would be allowed on the fairgrounds, he said. Bidding would be done online.

McKiernan said people who have already purchased carnival wristbands would be reimbursed, along with any vendors who have already registered.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].