LaPorte County Fair Will Proceed, but Not as Usual
Published: Friday, May 29, 2020
The LaPorte County Fair will go on this year without the traditional 4-H exhibits and competitions.
Purdue Extension office in LaPorte has decided not to have 4-H members at the fair, scheduled July 12-18.
Instead, there will be a hybrid experience that includes a virtual exhibition to be shown on FairEntry.com in July and a "Showcase of Excellence" for non-market animals and static projects in the fall, according to Purdue Extension officials.
Virtual 4-H exhibition details will be sent to active 4-H members and volunteers as soon as they are finalized, officials said.
The announcement was made in a letter released last Friday and signed by Purdue Extension educators MaryJo Moncheski and Gayle O'Connor.
According to the letter, the decision followed multiple discussions over the past month with advisory groups and stakeholders including the LaPorte County 4-H Council, LaPorte County Agricultural Assn. and the 4-H community.
"These conversations have always been centered on the health and safety of volunteers, members and staff," Purdue Extension officials stated in the letter.
According to local Purdue Extension officials, more than 60 percent of the LaPorte County volunteer base, not including 4-H families, are considered at-risk if exposed to the virus.
"Unfortunately, the risks outweigh the benefits of having a live exhibition in conjunction with the LaPorte County Fair," local Purdue Extension officials said.
LaPorte County 4-H is a volunteer-based program with more than 1,200 youth members.
Attempts to reach Moncheski and O'Connor to further elaborate on the decision were not immediately successful.
The fair is overseen by the LaPorte County Agricultural Assn., a board separate from Purdue Extension.
The LCAA announced in late April its intentions to go ahead with the fair this year.
The fair celebrating its 175th year was cited as a factor in the decision.
"We want to carry on with the fair. We think it's a good thing. It's good for our economy. It's just summer fun," Catherine Mrozinski, treasurer of the 18 member LPAA, said when the decision was made to have the fair.
She recently said there's been no change in the decision.
Some 4-H fairs in Indiana have already cancelled since Purdue Extension decided on May 15 to allow 4-H fairs beginning July 4 under certain restrictions in counties whose COVID-19 cases are not too high under the governor's strategy for reopening the state's economy.
Among the first to back out were 4-H fairs in Starke and St. Joseph counties, which cited strict guidelines they felt would make hosting the traditional events not worth it.
"There would be no playing tag at night with your friends, no hanging out in the campground, no strolling the streets while eating your favorite flavor of shaved ice. There would be no battle of the barns, no fishing for fifty cents, no breakfast with friends and family on Wednesday morning and no livestock auction," Starke County 4-H Fair officials said.
"We have determined it is not financially or logistically feasible to safely host an in-person fair this year. We do not feel that we can ensure safety in a socially distanced setting," St. Joseph County 4-H Fair officials said.
Four-H fairs choosing to go ahead with their events must follow social distancing and other restrictions such as daily screening of employees and volunteers working on behalf of Purdue Extension, disinfecting high traffic areas and offering hand sanitizer and cleaning stations to employees and guests.
"Purdue Extension will comply with all federal, state and local regulations and public safety guidelines and will adhere to Purdue University policies for public health and safety," said Jason Henderson, senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture and director of Purdue Extension.
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