DEL MAR–The postponement of the San Diego County Fair was announced at Tuesday’s monthly 22nd District Agricultural Association Board of Directors meeting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
The decision was based on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s statement on public mass gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get a vaccine,” mass gatherings are not likely to be allowed for the foreseeable future,” Gov. Newsom said at Tuesday’s press conference. Therefore, we believe it is the responsible decision to postpone the San Diego County Fair to 2021. We encourage all San Diegans to continue adhering to all public health guidelines so that the Fair can return in 2021.”
The board of directors will carry the fair’s theme, Heroes, Unite!, through next year’s fair to honor the heroes in the community.
“Now, more than ever, we’re acutely aware that some of our very greatest heroes walk among us. We are so thankful to the healthcare workers and first responders who are keeping our communities safe, the teachers who keep our children learning and the countless community heroes who are going to extraordinary efforts to help others during this great time of need,” said Tim Fennell, CEO and General Manager of the Del Mar Fairgrounds
Fennell said the health and safety of the community takes precedence during this unprecedented time.
“The San Diego County Fair is a beloved family tradition for more than 1.5 million San Diegans each year, as well as a source of livelihood for numerous individuals and businesses. Yet with the continued impacts of COVID-19, postponing this year’s fair is the right thing to do.”
For now, the Del Mar Fairgrounds is currently on standby to be utilized for Emergency Operations Services at any time. The fair partnered with the San Diego Food Bank to serve as a food distribution site, and has donated several hundred N95 masks to health care providers.
Fair officials will begin hosting and planning future events once it has been deemed safe to do so.
