Harford County Farm Fair Canceled; Youth Livestock Show To Go On

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The Harford County Farm Fair has been canceled for 2020. Officials announced the date for the next event, which will be in 2021.

The Harford County Farm Fair Board of Directors "regretfully" made the decision to cancel "due to the impact of COVID-19," officials said.

Because of the coronavirus, Marylanders have been prohibited from gathering in large groups, where the virus could spread.

Although Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan lifted the statewide stay-at-home order and Harford County entered phase one of the state's recovery roadmap May 15, farm fair organizers said they did not believe the state would be far enough along in its recovery plan to allow for such a large event in July. The 2020 farm fair had been planned for July 27 to Aug. 1.

Phase one allows for things such as some businesses opening at 50 percent capacity, and gatherings greater than 10 people are prohibited.

The second stage would allow for larger caps on social gatherings. It would also enable gyms and fitness centers to reopen as well as bars and restaurants with indoor dining.

In stage three, entertainment venues could reopen, larger social gatherings may resume and nursing home visits would be allowed once again.

"We would have to be advanced well into stage 3 to abide by the State regulations for gatherings," organizers said in announcing the farm fair's cancellation. "We have to line up permitting, vendors, tents ... basically the entire Fair and would hate to put ALL of those people out at the last minute."

Fair organizers said they anticipated the third phase of Maryland's recovery roadmap would not take place until 2021.

The third stage "requires either a widely available FDA-approved vaccine or safe and effective therapeutics that can rescue patients with significant disease or prevent serious illness in those most at risk to reach a full return to normal condition," according to the Maryland Strong Roadmap to Recovery.

Currently there is no vaccine for the virus, and there is no treatment for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.

Officials said the 34th annual Harford County Farm Fair will be July 26 to 31, 2021.

The Harford County Youth Livestock Show & Sale will go on, from July 29 to Aug. 1. Entries will be accepted via email through 11:59 p.m. on June 15.