No fair!
Continued decline in new COVID-19 cases can’t salvage state’s summer celebrations
After the rehabbed and renamed Coliseum of Champions in Springfield was only reopened last year, it will again be dark this summer as the State Fair has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. (One Illinois/Ted Cox)
By Ted Cox
A continuing decline in new COVID-19 cases statewide couldn't salvage the State Fair.
Gov. Pritzker announced Friday that both of the annual State Fairs — the main one in Springfield and the Du Quoin State Fair — would be canceled over concerns about large gatherings in the persistent pandemic.
“The Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs have been some of my favorite opportunities to celebrate our agricultural communities and the residents who make Illinois so exceptional," Pritzker said in a statement. "But it's because the fairs are such a treasure to so many thousands of people that my administration, like those of our neighboring Midwestern states, must make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 State Fairs in light of the risk posed by COVID-19. This is the right choice based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and other experts. We have to prioritize keeping our people safe. Our state fairs are unmatched across the nation, and I look forward to gathering again to showcase the best of Illinois when it is safe to do so.”
Only this week, Chicago also announced that all major summer festivals including Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, the Labor Day Jazz Fest, and the Air and Water Show would be put off this year due to coronavirus concerns.
It’s not just music acts and carnival rides that are being canceled, however, after the Springfield State Fair raked in a record $6.5 million from performances in the fairgrounds grandstand last year. It’s also a celebration of the agriculture industry statewide.
“These aren't just fairs,” said Jerry Costello II, acting director of the state Department of Agriculture. “They are economic engines for the Springfield and Du Quoin communities that highlight the best that Illinois has to offer and shine a spotlight on kids around our state. These kids work all year to prepare for their livestock and projects, so we are determined to still provide them an event that showcases their hard work and perseverance through a very difficult year."
According to a news release, the Department of Agriculture will play host to a Junior Livestock Expo in Springfield in September, “for Illinois exhibitors ages 8 to 21 to show their animals,” while “the 4-H General Project Show will take place virtually, with premiums and ribbons to be distributed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.” Details will be forthcoming.
The news came as the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed 595 new COVID-19 cases statewide Friday, bringing the state total to 131,198. Some 77 new deaths attributed to the coronavirus took the statewide toll to 6,260. The 5,283 new cases overall since last week were again lower than the week before, when 5,795 were registered, while the 465 deaths for the week were also lower than the 525 the week before. But the pandemic continued to rage across the nation, with 21 states — many of them having reopened their economies or never having imposed restrictions — reporting increases in new cases, some at record highs.
The State Fair was previously canceled during World War II and the Civil War, and was sort of deferred to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. The Du Quoin State Fair hasn’t been canceled since the state took over the grounds in 1986.
The State Fair in Springfield also serves for the state’s major political parties to gather one day after the other to informally kick off the start of the fall campaign — especially important this year with the presidential election. It’s not clear what Democrats and Republicans will do instead to gather and organize for the general election in the fall.