Following a meeting of the Summit County Fair Board last week, the County has announced they’ve cancelled events for this year’s Fair. There are just a couple of exceptions.
A press release from the county on June 11th said the cancellations are due to the economic and health concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cancellations include the PRCA Rodeo and Rodeo Queen Contest, the Demolition Derby, Parade, Carnival, the Little Buckaroo Rodeo and Princess Contest, the Tour de Sunrise, and Exhibits for Poultry, Rabbits and Home Arts.
The Jr. Livestock Show and Sale and the Miss Summit County Pageant will be held in a modified format. Details about that will be announced later. And 4-H Entries will be recognized by the USU Extension Office.
In the press statement, County Manager Tom Fisher said he wishes he could say the 2020 Fair will be held without changes. But that isn’t possible, not only due to concerns about health, but also financing.
The County anticipates they will see 40-70 percent less revenue from the Transient Room Tax, which has provided a substantial subsidy to the Fair in recent years.
Fisher said that while most residents think that the Fair, or ticketed events, net a profit, they don’t. He added, “This level of subsidy would need to increase even more if we were to hold an event like the rodeo in a modified format that would reduce ticket sales that helps support the event.”
However, Fisher said they will use the opportunity to regroup, rethink and make the Fair a better event.