GREENFIELD — The familiar sights and sounds of summer will return to the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The county fair is set to return June 18-25.
Organizers say the event will look much like the typical fair, with a few changes and safeguards put in place in the wake of COVID-19.
Some longtime events won’t take place: The parade, traditionally held on the second day of the fair; the baby contest; and children’s pedal pull won’t be held. But organizers say most other events are taking place as usual, including the slate of 4-H competitions and a midway carnival.
Amber Barks, Hancock County’s extension educator for 4-H youth development, knows the county is ready to get back to the tried and true fair traditions.
“We’re excited to try to be in the community back together. The youth are excited to see their friends, and obviously everyone is excited about fair food,” she said.
Last year’s fair was a bare-bones version of a standard event, with no midway vendors or carnival rides and 4-H’ers keeping their distance from one another. The fair instituted a “show-and-go” format in which 4-H’ers headed home with their animals shortly after each event. Even the queen contest looked drastically different, with contestants donning masks and the winners placing their own crowns on their heads.
This year’s fair should look much more typical, said Barks, with some extra safeguards put in place.
“We want everyone to be mindful of others and practice social distancing. We are highly encouraging the use of facial coverings when social distancing isn’t possible, and we will be increasing our hand washing stations,” she said.
It’s still too early to comment on specific safety guidelines, she said, since Purdue University, which oversees the fair, still needs to approve her proposed safety plan. Evolving guidelines from the Hancock County Health Department could further alter the current safety protocols.
The hope is that this year’s fair will feel as “normal” as possible, Barks said.
“We felt that our community deserved an opportunity to come together again after a trying year for many. We want to continue to celebrate the hard work of all of our 4-H members and celebrate the long history of 4-H in Hancock County,” said Barks, who knows local 4-H members are thrilled to see a sense of normalcy returning.
“They’re excited about it, because so much has been canceled. I think they’re ready to do whatever it takes to have somewhat of a normal year.”
That includes welcoming the public back into the exhibit hall to view 4-H projects and into the arenas for livestock shows, an opportunity that was lost last year due to COVID restrictions.
The popular parade, however, has been canceled for the second year in a row.
Road construction and the inability to social distance on parade floats were the main reasons for the cancellation, said Barb Pescitelli, who has served as the local 4-H parade superintendent for the past eight years.
“I love a parade. Our community loves a parade. But it just didn’t work out this year,” she said.
The fair board made the decision to cancel a few weeks ago. COVID worries aside, construction work on State Street — which is part of the parade route — was a serious complication. A major rebuilding project on State Street began south of Main Street in March, and the schedule calls the work to move north of Main Street and into the parade route by the time the fair starts.
“A detour route goes by the hospital, and they’re closing the main entrance of the hospital from June 1 to Aug. 1” for construction work, Pescitelli said of the tentative construction schedule.
Barks has fielded positive feedback on the fair returning this year, even if the parade and a couple other events won’t be held.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for the community to get reconnected,” said Barks, who will be working at the Hancock County Fair for the first time. She joined the Purdue Extension Hancock County in January, after working five years as the 4-H youth educator in Fulton County.
Barks knows the 4-H fair is a can’t miss event for many Hoosiers.
“The 4-H Fair is like a big family reunion to some extent,” she said. Some people only get to see old friends once a year at the county fair, so it is a special time for people to reconnect and catch up.”
As for catching up, some of last year’s 10-year 4-H members are being invited back to take part in some fun traditions that were missed last year.
Due to the show-and-go style of last year’s fair, the popular Supreme Showmanship Contest, in which 4-H’ers show a variety animals, could not be held. Competitors are being invited back this year to compete in an event to be held at 7 p.m. June 18 — the first night of the fair — in the Show Arena.
Last year’s queen’s court members have also been invited back to take part in fair activities along with the 2021 queen and her court.
“The 2020 royalty has been invited to participate in this year’s fair activities as well, helping pass out ribbons during fair events with the 2021 royalty,” said Michelle Hasty, a member of the 4-H fair queen committee.
Sixteen candidates will compete in this year’s 63rd annual fair queen contest, to be held at 3 p.m. June 12 at Trinity Park United Methodist Church.
Limited attendance will be allowed, but the event will be live-streamed by pageant sponsor NineStar Connect.
