Illinois now joins several states throughout the Midwest that have canceled their state fairs for 2020. Gov. J.B. Pritzker will issue an executive order canceling the Illinois and Du Quoin state fairs this year to protect attendees from the coronavirus.

Jerry Costello, agriculture director, says young people will still get to show, however, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture is planning a Junior Livestock Expo in Springfield in September for Illinois exhibitors ages 8 to 21 to show their animals.

“These kids work all year to prepare their livestock and projects, so we are determined to still provide them an event that showcases their hard work and perseverance through a very difficult year,” he says.

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While you can’t replace a state fair, the expo will give young people the chance to showcase their animals and be recognized for their work and dedication. Costello told Prairie Farmer back in March that the department was looking at all options for junior exhibitors at the state fair. “Education and youth are key to almost everything we do,” he said.

IDOA confirms the Sale of Champions has been canceled for 2020, and will not be held as part of the Junior Livestock Expo in September. 4-H general project shows will take place virtually, and details on all junior events are forthcoming.

Just last week, Indiana took a similar path in canceling its state fair but saying it will hold junior livestock shows on weekends throughout August and September.

“Canceling the 2020 Illinois State Fair was the hardest decision the IDOA and the Illinois State Fair has ever had to make. I assure you, we explored every possible option,” says Kevin Gordon, Illinois State Fair manager.

“It’s because the fairs are such a treasure to so many thousands of people that my administration, like those of our neighboring Midwestern states, must make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 state fairs in light of the risk posed by COVID-19,” Pritzker says. “This is the right choice based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and other experts. We have to prioritize keeping our people safe.”

The annual Illinois and Du Quoin state fairs, which attracted over 600,000 visitors in 2019, are expected to return in August 2021.

Since the first state fair held in 1853, there’s only been six other years when the fair was canceled. This is the first fair canceled due to a pandemic, with other fairs postponed due to the Civil War and World War II, as well as the World’s Columbia Expo in Chicago.

Officials in Du Quoin are equally disappointed. “We know the Du Quoin State Fair is a longstanding tradition in southern Illinois, and it’s hard to fathom that it won’t be taking place, but our first priority is to keep the citizens of southern Illinois safe,” says Josh Gross, Du Quoin State Fair manager, adding the grounds will still be open for camping throughout the summer.