Centreville Fair canceled due to COVID-19

Members of the St. Joseph County Fair Board voted Monday to cancel the 2020 fair due to concerns about COVID-19.

Board president Tom Miller called Monday’s action the most difficult vote any fair board in St. Joseph County has ever had to make.

Regarding 4-H participants, fair officials plan to meet with St. Joseph County Extension Office 4-H Program Coordinator Eva Beeker, review options and establish a plan. Miller and board members agreed they will support any way they can what Beeker deems the best course of action.

Board member Barb Weston, a 4-H leader, said she believes there is a wealth of leaders willing to step up and do something on behalf of the kids.

The fair, founded in 1851, typically pays out more than $50,000 in premiums to 4-H members annually. It was last canceled in 1890.

Members of the fair board had originally set July 15 as a drop-date for making its decision about the 2020 event. Based on the fact Allegan County and Hillsdale County, which have their fairs, respectively, the week before and week after St. Joseph County, it was inevitable the 14-member board made the decision it did Monday.

A letter about the cancellation of the 2020 fair, and more details related to deposits and plans going forward are on its website: www.centrevillefair.com.