LEE COUNTY — The Lee County Fair Association voted to cancel the 2020 Lee Co. Fair & Jr. Show at their June meeting. The fair was scheduled for July 23-26 at the Lee Co. 4-H Center & Fairgrounds.

The board of directors released a statement explaining they sought guidance from multiple sources included the Lee Co. Health Department, the Bureau of County Fairs at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Lee Co. 4-H program and vendors and volunteers.

“In the end we had to abide by the phased Restore Illinois plan and we couldn’t find a way around that,” said Fair Association president Adam Henkel.

The board had been meeting virtually since March to discuss the future of the fair. Members considered ways to modify the jr. show and fair activities by asking fair vendors to share how they would handle guidelines and restrictions in place because of COVID-19.

“Every person we talked to indicated they would do their best to abide by rules and make changes,” said Henkel. “We are grateful for the support.”

Because the fair is also the annual 4-H show, members were in contact with the Lee Co. 4-H program coordinator and Extension office as well. On June 1 University of Illinois Extension-Champaign Urbana announced that all July 4-H shows and activities would be conducted virtually. 4-H members will receive information about registering for the virtual 4-H show from their leaders and Extension staff.

The Fair Association will be contacting all fair vendors, volunteers, and partners to share their decision and begin planning for the 2021 fair scheduled for July 22-25.