STOKES COUNTY, N.C. -- The 70th Annual Stokes County Agricultural Fair is canceled this year due to coronavirus concerns. 

 

What You Need To Know

  • 70th Stokes County Fair is canceled due to coronavirus

  • It was originally scheduled for September 14-19, 2020

  • The fair brings in more than 11,000 people a year

  • The fair board has started planning next year's fair

  

 

The fair board and county leaders were disappointed to announce the cancellation this week. They say coronavirus is too great of a risk to the community.

"We're here to help the citizens and we can help them better by not exposing them to this virus," fair manager Don Adams says.

The fair is more than just a few rides on the midway. The well-honored tradition has brought generations back year after year.

Long-time fair volunteer and King mayor, Jack Warren reflected saying "The old-timers would sit and say 'Oh, there's Uncle Jim, I haven't seen him since last fair.' Didn't see them but once a year but they were socializing." ​

Stokes County 4-H members work all year to prepare their projects and livestock to showcase at the county fair. This year, they won't get the chance to do that.

"Our 4-Hers are resilient and hard-working, so I know that they're taking this time to better prepare their projects for future shows," says 4-H agent Taylor Furr. 

The fair brings in more than 11,000 people each year. While city leaders in King know they'll lose out on quite a bit of money, they are keeping the faith and pushing forward with plans for next year's fair. 

"If we can get our stuff up and running for next year, I think it will be bigger than it's ever been," Adams says.