The Canfield Fair Board announced on Tuesday the cancellation of this year's fair.

"It was a lengthy and heartfelt decision that we finally had to make," George Roman of the board, said. 

Following the path of Columbiana and Trumbull County, fair officials decided that they cannot hold a huge event due to precautions over coronavirus.

"Through the Great Depression, through the wars, through other viruses that have gone around. This is the first time to our knowledge that the fair has ever been canceled," said Ward Campbell, president of the board said. 

In June, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that the department of health interim director signed an order, which includes mandatory guidelines county fairs and animal exhibitions must follow.

"We decided that the social distancing that the board of health was going to require us to do was just going to be borderline impossible," Campbell said, "We definitely didn't want to put on a half of show and disappoint people because people are expecting so much."

There are safety restrictions for everything from events in the grandstands, to livestock competitions.

The board said they plan still to have the Junior Fair portion Labor Day weekend. 

"They've worked hard all summer with their animals hoping to have a fair, and we're gonna do the best we can," he said. 

As for the entire Canfield Fair, Roman said they are hopeful for next year.

"Plans are underway already for that, and we're going to make it bigger and better than ever, and it will be something to crow about," he said. 

Fair officials issued the below statement:


It is with tremendous regret that we acknowledge that conducting a full Fair is not possible in
2020. The 174th 2020 Canfield Fair will be limited to a Junior Fair only. Limiting the Fair allows Junior
Fair members the opportunity to participate in the numerous programs and events available to them,
while also recognizing the significant health and safety issues facing the general public, our volunteers
and our team.

Junior Fair participants and their immediate family members may attend and participate in Junior Fair
Events over the traditional Labor Day weekend. The Fairgrounds will be closed to the general public.

All Junior Fair members and/or their parents will be required to sign an Acknowledgment and Waiver
Form related to COVID-19. Please check the Mahoning County Junior Fair Website in the future for
further information and availability. Those individuals will then receive a wrist band to wear
throughout the Fair.

The limited Fair will be operated in accordance with guidance available from the Mahoning County
Public Health Department and the State of Ohio. Further guidance related to specific limited Fair
operations will be forthcoming.

We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021 for our 175th Fair!