5 things to know on the first day of the 2020 Clark County Fair

Here are five things to know if you plan to go:

1. There is no charge for admission, most of the buildings will not be open and social distancing standards are in effect.

Masks are required, and attendees are asked to maintain six feet apart from each other while following entrance, exit and directional signage posted in barns, arenas and aisleways.

Hand-washing and hand sanitizing are encouraged, and eating in barns, arenas or stands are prohibited.

2. There will be food.

While the total number of food vendors is drastically reduced and many local entrepreneurs are not taking part this year, more than a dozen food options are scheduled to be there.

They will be offering familiar fair favorites such as steak sandwiches, pork sandwiches, corn dogs, pulled pork, brisket, pork chops, ribbon potatoes, walking tacos, cheese on a stick, elephant ears, homemade ice cream, cotton candy, caramel apples, funnel cakes and other deep-fried treats.

3. More than a handful of species will be on display Saturday.

Cavies, rabbits, horses, dairy (market steers and showmanship), dogs, sheep and swine (showmanship) shows are scheduled for the first day of the fair with goats, rabbit showmanship, more dairy steers and feeders, horses and a full slate of market hog shows set for Sunday.

In observance of social distancing guidelines from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, attendance is generally reserved for family members, and Clark County Fair executive director Dean Blair hopes those who watch a loved one show will give up their seat when the next class comes in.

4. Many shows will be streamed online.

Links to livestreams of livestock shows as well as Sunday night’s awards show and royalty crowning can be found at clarkcoag.com, where digital showbills are also available.

Fair organizers are hopeful this option will limit attendance and give individuals a high risk of contracting COVID-19 piece of mind if they choose to stay home.

5. When in doubt, check Facebook.

Blair emphasized just about anything anyone wants to know about the 2020 fair has been shared on the fair’s social media page.

“We have been posting almost daily on the name of our page, ‘Clark County Fair’ on Facebook. We’ve put so much information on there, and it’s been so, so helpful.

“Anybody who wants to know anything, if they’ll back up 20 or 30 posts and then just read forward, they’ll know everything about the fair.”