PLAINS — Despite the efforts of the fair board, the 2020 Sanders County Fair and Rodeo has officially been canceled.
The Sanders County Board of Health and two county commissioners elected to cancel the fair this year due to safety concerns regarding COVID-19.
Fair management says they presented plans to prevent the spread of the virus, but it wasn’t enough. They add the loss of the fair is devastating for some aspects of the community.
"We have a lot of nonprofits that depend on the fair to make up a bulk of their income for the year you know small mom and pops," Sanders County Fair manager Melissa Cady told MTN News.
Fair officials estimate the town of Plains will lose anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 due to the cancellation.
A social media post states that "officials will work on virtual exhibits for 4-H animals and projects, and other activities normally associated with the Sanders County Fair."
The fair and rodeo was scheduled to run from Sept. 3 until Sept. 6 in Plains.