West Alabama State Fair Canceled Due To Virus Concerns, Finances

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — The 2020 installment of the West Alabama State Fair has been canceled due to ongoing concerns for public health and finances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama operates the fair, which serves as its primary fundraiser, and said the organization's Board of Directors voted unanimously to cancel the event and West Alabama State Fair Barbecue Cook-off. The decision was announced Wednesday afternoon.

The West Alabama State Fair normally runs through the end of October into November.

"After reviewing local and national health data, making financial projections, and weighing the additional efforts associated with hosting an event during a pandemic, we are disappointed to have to make this decision," UCP said in a media release.

UCP also said the pandemic has placed an overwhelming fiscal hardship on its financial budget due to its inability to provide vocational, therapeutic, and other developmental support services to those who participate in its Day Habilitation program.

"As we continue to work through these difficult and challenging times, like many of the other non-profit organizations in Alabama, we have found that we are experiencing a severe revenue shortfall as a result of the public health emergency," UCP said.