For the first time in the past 114 years, the Lloydminster Exhibition Fair will be paused for 2020, because of concerns surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic.
Citing community and volunteer safety, as well as the guidelines put forth by the provinces of Alberta & Saskatchewan, the Board of Directors of the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association have voted to officially postpone the fair.
A release issued Wednesday says the board of directors were planning on a new updated name and look to the 2020 edition of the fair, which was to run July 8 - 11, with new features and attractions which will now unroll in 2021!
“As difficult as this decision was, it is in the best interests of our community & public health, and it is the right action at this time. Planning for Fair 2020 was well underway and our 22 board members and staff had worked tirelessly to make 2020 the best Fair ever. I was personally excited to see all this hard work come to fruition in 2020, however that planning will not be wasted, watch for Fair 2021 to be an even more spectacular community event. I would like to thank our municipal and provincial partners for their support and as well our community, sponsors & participants for their support in the past and we look forward to planning future community events as restrictions are eased. In the meantime stay safe and we look forward to serving you in the future,” said President Kevin Kromrey.
The event, which sees more than 40,000 people go through its gates, features animal and craft competitions, ag shows, a vendor tradeshow, a petting zoo for kids and a midway, live nightly grandstand concerts, PBR Bull Riding, demolition derby as well as a fireworks finale. The fair brings millions of economic dollars into the Lloydminster area so it can’t be understated how agonizing this decision was for the board to make, states the release.
The Board of the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association will continue to assess all events going forward and will make decisions on their future on an event by event basis.
