“With everything that is going on throughout the state and country, there’s a lot of factors that had to be looked at and weighed in. This is not an easy decision.” That comment from Jennell Shelton, Facility Manager at Manitowoc County Expo when reacting to the decision to cancel this year’s Manitowoc County Fair.
Shelton explains the big topic at the Expo-Ice Center Board meeting involved concerns about health and safety. “That’s why as of today, there are approximately 42 County Fairs that have canceled throughout the state. I think they all see just like what we had to. And we, as in the Fair Board and staff, had to look at the health and safety of our fairgoers.”
Expo Board chairman, Jerry Vetting, commented “We understand that the Manitowoc County Fair is an annual celebration where friends and family can come together & where our exhibitors can bring their animals & projects they worked on throughout the year. But, we realize health and safety are of utomost importance.”
Shelton says the pending decision “has been stressful on all boardmembers & staff, because of its’ impact on businesses, including the traveling vendors.” But, there are other stakeholders as well. “How is this going to impact the market animal committee, the dairy futurity show, and our exhibitors that have worked so hard throughout the whole summer, and even since last year on the project that they bring?”
Any youth exhibitor who is aging out of participation this year and is enrolled in a 2020 project will be eligible to take part next summer within the same project areas.
The Expo Facility Manager is optimistic for a memorable 2021 Manitowoc County Fair, and told us they’re already doing some planning for next year’s event.
