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Local fairs are cancelled

Wausau and Athens Fair boards cite COVID-19 safety risk

Fairs held in Wausau and Athens will not be held this year due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, according to local organization spokespeople.

Wisconsin Valley Fair administrator Jodi Langenhahn said the decision not to hold the event was reached after it was determined that the COVID-19 risk would persist through the summer.

“The Wisconsin Valley Fair Board of Directors work tirelessly throughout the year to plan this event and this decision was not made lightly,” she said. ”We understand there will be disappointment at this announcement, but safety must come first.”

Sponsor, vendors, and advanced ticket holders will have the opportunity to have their payments and tickets rolled over to the 2021 Wisconsin Valley Fair or be issued a full refund, she said.

Provided it is deemed safe to hold large gatherings, the Wisconsin Valley Fair will return in its entirety on August 3-8, 2021, Langenhahn stated.

“We are looking forward to coming back even better and stronger than before,” she said.

The Athens Advancement and Agricultural Association Board of Directors on Sunday voted 9-2 to not sponsor a fair in 2020 because of the coronavirus.

Athens Fair board members are hoping life is back to normal next year so the fair can be held again in 2021.

Lack of insurance, a carnival midway, bingo, a horse show and the uncertainty of exhibitors participating in the Athens Fair all led to the board’s decision to cancel this year’s fair.

The inability to guarantee social distancing by people attending the fair and exhibitors were also part of the board’s discussion to cancel it. The fair board said it understands how important the fair is to the Athens community, but the most important thing is to keep people safe.

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