Arizona State Fair Canceled Due to Pandemic

The Arizona Exposition & State Fair Board announced Thursday their decision to postpone the 2020 Arizona State Fair due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

For 136 years, the Arizona State Fair has been an annual tradition and this year was set to kick off on October 8^th.

“This has been a deeply challenging decision for everyone,” Wanell Costello, the fair’s executive director, said in a press release. “While the fun and carefree environment the State Fair provides is appreciated by the community, we know this year it’s not the right time to hold a large event. The health and safety of our team, visitors and community is most important.”

Some traditions may still be held virtually, including the livestock show and esports competition. Online entries are currently being accepted.

Fair officials expect the event to return in 2021 and said it would start Oct. 7 and end Oct. 31.

In 2019, fair attendance hit 1.2 million in 2019, which was the highest total seen in more than a decade.