County Fair organizers hope show will go on

Ozaukee County Fair officials are optimistic the fair will still occur this summer, taking hope that most other fairs have yet to be canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak and Gov. Tony Evers’ Safer at Home order.

Traditionally held the first weekend in August, the Ozaukee County Fair is preceded by other fairs, including the State Fair and the Washington County Fair, which have so far not canceled, Ozaukee County Agricultural  Society Board President Mark Larson pointed out.

“The fairs around the state have been getting together on Zoom on a weekly basis to see what’s going on. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of uncertainty,” he said. 

“We’re looking into, that if we can’t have a traditional fair, what would we have to do to still present it if we’re allowed to. We’ll have to see what the state medical situation is.”

The medical situation appears to be improving, he said. 

“But we’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “We’re not sure who has what authority.”

Like everyone else, fair officials are waiting on the state Supreme Court to rule on a legislative challenge to Evers’ order extending the shutdown to the end of May. 

The court heard oral arguments last week.

The Ozaukee County Fair’s claim to fame as the only free fair in the Midwest also means it operates on a smaller and simpler scale than many other fairs, easing logistical worries.

“We already have all the entertainment contracts entered into. And we’re fortunate compared to other counties because we don’t have to come up with money now for those events,” he said. “There have been county fairs that have canceled because they had funding issues that we’re not presented with.”

Larson said fair officials have informed vendors that they are currently planning on going forward with the fair.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension Office in Madison, which oversees the state 4-H programs, has said that 4-H members may participate in local fairs, even though regular club activities are currently canceled.

Virtual alternatives to exhibiting livestock are being investigated, the UW-Extension Office said.

One problem facing fair organizers is how to promote the fair, Larson said.

“We printed up posters to put in local businesses and then those establishments had to close” due to Covid-19, he said. “We’re looking at different ways of promoting the fair.”

With Summerfest and other festivals either being pushed back or canceled, Larson said the fair could be a beneficiary.

“I think there’s a certain level of quarantine fatigue developing,” he said. “Especially  with Summerfest being postponed, there will be a pent-up demand among people to get out and do things. Maybe that will help. I’m optimistic.”