Hendricks County 4-H Fair 2020 will be for 4-H only; not public

Hendricks County 4-H Fair 2020 will be for 4-H only; not public

Lindsay Doty

Due to concerns about COVID-19, the Hendricks County 4-H Fair 2020 will be for 4-H members and families only and not the public.

After careful thought and deliberation in conjunction with Hendricks County 4-H Youth Council and Purdue Cooperative Extension Services – Hendricks County, the Hendricks County 4-H & Agricultural Fair Association decided it will not conduct the traditional fair, originally scheduled for July 19–25. Instead, the fair will be a 4-H exhibit showcase.

Hendricks County 4-H members will have the option to participate in a live, in-person event, though attendance at the event will primarily be only 4-H families and volunteers. 4-H families will be informed of the event guidelines, judging options and schedule of activities in the coming days and weeks.

Members of the board expressed concern for public health, the financial feasibility of hosting a 4-H Fair that would adhere to social-distancing protocols and its impact on the long-term viability of the Hendricks County 4-H Fair.

“Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all concerned,” said Rocky Turner, President of the Hendricks County 4-H & Agricultural Fair Association, Inc.

“The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity 4-H Fair would be too great, and we need to protect the Hendricks County 4-H Fair for future generations.”

Organizers will host a virtual tribute and will livestream 4-H events on the Hendricks County 4-H Fair website, https://www.4hcomplex.org/, during the week of the originally scheduled event, July 19-25, to shine a spotlight on all those that truly make this event “A Family Affair.”

Fair leaders are asking the community to stay informed through social media and the website for further updates on the virtual fair.

“Our first priority is the safety of the thousands of people involved in the Hendricks County 4-H Fair each year. While this is a difficult decision, we feel it is necessary to protect the fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth leaders, employees and sponsors,” said Turner.

 “We look forward to seeing our fellow fairgoers at the 2021 Hendricks County 4-H Fair (July 18-24, 2021), when it is safer for us to enjoy our favorite traditions together.”