Yolo County Fair is latest summertime events canceling due to coronavirus

The 2020 Yolo County Fair has been canceled due to the coronavirus, following the trend of the capital region’s largest events shutting down during the pandemic.

The Sacramento County Fair, over similar concerns regarding the coronavirus, canceled in mid-April, followed shortly afterward by the California State Fair.

Now, Yolo County’s annual celebration of agriculture and food is following suit.

“It is with a heavy heart that after many meetings and much discussion the Board of Directors and Staff made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Yolo County Fair,” officials said in a news release. “This decision was not made lightly.The health and safety of our community is our top priority.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom instituted a ban on large gatherings in March until further notice as an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

Yolo County Fair leadership cited the lengthy planning process that goes into its event, which was scheduled for August, as another reason to cancel given the uncertain coronavirus timeline.

The fair is expected to return in 2021.

“This is a big disappointment to our Fair Staff, Board of Directors, Vendors, Volunteers, Local Organizations, Concessionaires, Exhibitors, Carnival Staff and the community but it is the right decision,” fair officials said.

This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 1:06 PM.