2020 Washington State Fair canceled due to the coronavirus

Associated Press

PUYALLUP, Wash. – The 2020 Washington State Fair has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fair CEO Kent Hojem said in a video on the event’s website the decision to cancel the September event was made after thoughtful consideration. He said at its core the fair is a people-gathering event, which runs contrary to the challenges of containing the pandemic.

“It was a decision made in what we feel are the best interests of the health and safety of all of our guests, our employees, our exhibitors; basically all of our constituents,” he said.

He said organizers realize canceling will have severe impacts on their partners.

“We know that not having a fair this year creates a hardship for many, but people are the most important component in the incredibly complex equation of what makes up our fair,” he said.

The most recent data from the Washington State Fair shows that in 2017, 1,960 people were employed at the fair. Some 1.7 million people attended, spending about $246 million at the fair, KING-TV reported.

The fair has been operating since 1900. This is the first time it’s been canceled since World War II, Hojem said.