Statement from City Manager John Glascock regarding Boone County Fair cancellation

(COLUMBIA, MO) - Columbia City Manager John Glascock issued the following statement on Friday, June 5, regarding the cancellation of the Boone County Fair in Columbia in 2020.

"The Boone County Fair is normally a summer highlight for many in our community. Children spend months working on projects and raising animals to show and many folks enjoy the entertainment of rodeos, games and the carnival.  

Unfortunately, the Boone County Fair won't take place in Columbia this year. Many large gatherings, both public and private, have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the risk of illness. For these kinds of events, social distancing and disinfection plans would need to be submitted to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors and participants. Indoor and outdoor events organized by the City of Columbia have been canceled due to COVID-19. Many other community events have been canceled by their organizers, such as concerts, Art in the Park and graduation ceremonies. 

Before we host the fair in the future, we'll need to have discussions with the Boone County Fair Board about what the processes and procedures might look like. The special events process will also need to be followed and approved by City Council.

Once the City of Columbia obtains ownership of the property, we look forward to working with the Boone County Fair Board to meet the requirements of the special events process and host the fair in Columbia again."