MORGANTOWN — What happens if you throw a fair and nobody comes?
Rob Maxwell, president of the Monongalia County Fair Board, said his organization simply isn’t in a position to find out.
Maxwell confirmed on Wednesday that there will be no fair this summer due to the financial impacts and social distancing restrictions brought on by COVID-19.
“We really thought hard about what you’d have to do, and it was going to be a festival full of lines and gated off areas and stickers on the ground telling you where to stand,” Maxwell said. “We were afraid it wasn’t going to be fun. Could we have had a fair? Yes. Would it have been a successful and enjoyable fair? Maybe not — and we just don’t want to fail.”
Maxwell went on to say that part of the financial lifeblood of the fair are sponsorships from area businesses, many of which have been devastated financially by mandatory closures and capacity restrictions due to the viral pandemic.
Even so, he said the board is putting together a plan to carry on with a fair staple.
“We’re making plans to still have the livestock show and sale for the local 4-H and FFA kids,” Maxwell said. “It’s a big deal. Last year we gave out nearly $5,000 in scholarships for kids. We still want to be able to do that.”
Prior to becoming a Monongalia County Commissioner, Ed Hawkins spearheaded the effort to bring the fair back in 2010, after five fairless summers in Monongalia County.
He said he was consulted on the board’s decision.
“It is unfortunate that the fair won’t be held this summer, or the fair parade. But still, it’s in the best interest of the fair,” Hawkins said. “It was a labor of love to get the fair restarted … and it’s continued grow. Last year’s fair was exemplary. But, quite frankly, it would be impossible for the fair to absorb the financial loss if nobody came. That decision had to be made and I support that decision.”
Maxwell said he doesn’t foresee any lasting impacts of taking this summer off.
“Of course I don’t think it’ll be good for us, but I think, with the decisions we’ve made, I don’t think it will be financially bad for us either,” he said. “Hopefully, everybody will forgive us this year and come out next year and see us.”
The 2021 Monongalia County Fair is scheduled for Aug. 9-13.
TWEET @BenConley_DP
