STATE NEWS — No midway rides … no funnel cakes … no livestock judging.

For the first time since World War II, organizers cancelled the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville due to COVID-19 concerns. In a press release, State Fair Manager Scott Jones emphasized the fair would be postponed until 2021 but had every intention of continuing it’s long and storied 150-year history. To view that press release, click here.

“We’re just doing what we believe is in the best interest of the health and well being of those who walk through our gates each year,” Jones said.

It’s a decision that Jones and the Tennessee State Fair Association Board did not come to lightly. They held lengthy sessions twice last week to discuss their options, weighing both the public’s general safety as well as those whose livelihood depends on the Fair each year.

In particular, organizers were concerned that the reduced State Fair footprint would make social distancing especially challenging. The midway area had been reduced in size to make way for the construction of the new Major League Soccer stadium, according to the release.

“The more we talked with local and state officials, gathered information from those involved with other similar events, and discussed the topic thoroughly within our own board, we came to the conclusion that it would be best this year to not host a traditional State Fair,” Jones said.

The event, originally planned for September 11-20, will still host some, open-to-the-public virtual fair activities. Plans being considered, according to Jones, include contests, exhibits, the presence of certain carnival-like vendors, and virtual and/or digital events. Jones and the all-volunteer board felt it was important for the State Fair to have a presence in 2020 even in a much smaller form.

Next year’s Tennessee State Fair is already planned to begin on September 10, 2021. For more information, visit the Tennessee State Fair website. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}