July 9, 2020 – Ozaukee Co., WI – Officials with the Ozaukee County Fair have come out with an extended announcement canceling the 2020 fair.
A portion of the announcement reads: “We will not be utilizing Firemen’s Park this year for any events, we will not have food vendors or any shows which the public can attend.
“The Fair Board met this week and decided to limit this year’s Fair to the judging of 4-H and Open Class exhibits and holding the traditional livestock and small animal auctions. Attendance will therefore be limited to those necessary events and will not be open to the public.”
The Ozaukee County Fair Board of Directors cited “recommendations from the health department” as its primary reason for canceling the 2020 fair.
Vendors said they had been informed of the closure earlier this week.
The Ozaukee County Fair had been scheduled July 29 – August 2, 2020.
The full annoucement from the Ozaukee County Fair Board is below.
Contrary to misinformation in the community and media, the Ozaukee County Fair Board has enjoyed a very collegial and productive relationship with the Washington and Ozaukee Health Department, Ozaukee County, the Cedarburg Fire Department and City of Cedarburg.
As we have stressed in prior announcements, we have been working closely with the health department for the past several months in monitoring the frequently changing situation as to what events could be held. To that end we relied on recommendations from the health department, including the Guidance for Fairs and Festivals that was released in mid-June, to formulate a safety plan that was shared with multiple organizations.
The planning and recommendations were influenced by positive trends in statistical information that led to changes in recommendations not only for fairs but restaurants and other businesses by the health department. Those positive statistics continued through most of June when the Fair Board was moving forward with its planning.
Unfortunately, the positive trends changed last week and have continued in a negative trend this week.
In keeping with the Fair Board’s stated intent to continue to monitor the situation and be responsive to changes in the situation, and as a result of close communications with the health department, the Fair Board met this week and decided to limit this year’s Fair to the judging of 4-H and Open Class exhibits and holding the traditional livestock and small animal auctions.
Attendance will therefore be limited to those necessary events and will not be open to the public. We will not be utilizing Firemen’s Park this year for any events, we will not have food vendors or any shows which the public can attend.It is with great frustration and regret that we will not be able to hold our traditional fair events, an event that we recognize would be of tremendous morale value to the Ozaukee County community, but prudence dictates otherwise under the circumstances. While the nature of the Ozaukee County Fair allowed us greater flexibility and time in monitoring events in our planning process, the recent developments required this decision in fairness to our loyal vendors and the community in general.
Again, we want to thank the Washington Ozaukee Health Department for their responsiveness and support throughout this complicated and frustrating situation, and look forward to continuing that cooperative relationship through the conclusion of this year’s Fair. We will continue to work with the Washington Ozaukee Health Department for any new developments around COVID-19 that would impact our operation and make modifications accordingly.
Updates will continue to be shared on our Website and Social Media.
God willing, the Ozaukee County Fair will return to its traditional form in 2021. We look forward to brighter, better days ahead when we can ALL gather again to celebrate all that is exceptional about Ozaukee County. The Ozaukee County Fair exists to strengthen community and bring people together. We are dedicated to being part of our collective well-being and look forward to our annual celebration.
Board of Directors
Ozaukee County Agricultural Society
There are still 18 county fairs being held yet in Wisconsin this year; most of the fairs remaining are moving forward with some modifications. Click HERE for the full list at the Wisconsin Association of Fairs.
Fond du Lac County Fair is July 16 – 19.
Brown County Fair is August 19 – 23.
Marinette County Fair is August 27 – 30.
Shawano County Fair is Sept. 2 – 7.
Walworth County Fair is Sept. 2 – 7.
Waupaca County Fair is August 26 – 30.
This is a working story and more information is being added as details become available.
