Coronavirus: Barnstable County Fair Canceled

FALMOUTH, MA — One of Cape Cod's biggest summer events of the year has been canceled because of the new coronavirus pandemic. The Barnstable County Fair, orginally scheduled for July 22 to 28, will skip 2020.

The Barnstable County Agricultural Society, which owns the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, announced it's following the Falmouth Board of Selectmen's vote, which canceled all special events in town through Aug 31.

"While we are saddened that we will not be able to host the fair this year, keeping our nearly 70,000 yearly guests, staff, volunteers and community at-large healthy and safe from the coronavirus is our top priority," a statement from the society said. "We will be adhering to current and future guidance issued by the town of Falmouth about hosting events on our grounds to do our part to stop the spread of the coronavirus."

The Barnstable County Fair has been a staple on Cape Cod since 1844. The only other times it's been canceled were because of war, the polio outbreak and severe weather.

Proceeds from the fair go towards grounds upkeep and more than $30,000 in scholarships for local students.