Coronavirus: Western Idaho, Canyon fairs canceled, but some events remain; cases rise

The Western Idaho Fair has been canceled in what is believed to be its first cancellation since the Great Depression.

The fair director briefed Ada County commissioners Tuesday about the event, one day after Canyon County canceled its fair.

Because of the coronavirus, both fairs, which normally include concerts, a carnival, showcases and entertainment, will not happen this year. Only 4-H and FFA shows and sales will take place.

“We’ve never had to do this,” Bob Batista, director of Expo Idaho in Garden City, where the Western Idaho Fair is held, told commissioners. “But these are unprecedented times, and under unprecedented times, you do unprecedented things.”

The Western Idaho Fair had been scheduled for late August, as usual. The Canyon County Fair was set for late July.

Children will have the opportunity to showcase livestock and projects. Batista said children interested in participating will be able to register as early as Tuesday.

Batista said Western Idaho Fair officials considered several other options before settling on the “show-and-sale” format.

On the fair’s website, fair officials explained why they decided certain options would be difficult or impossible. They said temperature checks could produce false positives for fever, because people would be hot from being outside. They said cleaning rides after every use would cause long lines. They said certain concerts would already have to be canceled because of tour cancellations.

Social distancing would be almost impossible in a traditional format, Batista told commissioners. The Western Idaho Fair is one of the largest events in the state, and more than 250,000 people attend it each year.

Fair officials had hoped to retain the carnival for its revenue, but Batista said the fair is unable to get carnival workers “because the president closed the border.”

Ada County Commission Chair Kendra Kenyon said she liked the idea of keeping a livestock show. “It’s back to our roots,” Kenyon said.

The cancellations will be a financial blow to vendors at both fairs. They also will disappoint people seeking to enter produce, baked goods, artwork and other items in the fair’s annual competitions.

“We understand that our open class exhibitors have been looking forward to entering competitions all year,” the Western Idaho Fair said on its website. “We encourage you to continue making, creating and growing. The rules for 2021 will be adjusted to include anything made in 2020 and 2021.”

Details, including specific dates, of 4-H and FFA shows and sales were not available Tuesday for either fair, although the Western Idaho Fair’s shows will be in August. The limited events in the Western Idaho Fair will follow health advisories from the Central District Health Department, Batista said.

Cases continue to rise in Ada County

Coronavirus cases in Ada County continue to roll in as more and more businesses open and see crowds. Local health officials reported 29 newly confirmed cases on Monday.

As of Monday evening, Ada had the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 of any county in Idaho: 856. In the past week, Ada has reported 72 new cases. In the 19 days prior, Ada reported 70 cases.

New cases were found across Idaho on Monday, with health departments reporting new cases in Bonneville, Cassia, Canyon, Franklin, Jerome and Twin Falls counties, among others.

In total, 66 newly confirmed coronavirus cases were reported Monday and the total number of cases stands at 3,122.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare also reported three new “probable cases” in Idaho, bringing the total to 341. IDHW also reports that 2,877 cases of the virus are “presumed recovered.”

Earlier in the day Monday, the Panhandle Health District reported its first death in the region, as a Kootenai County man in 70s reportedly died from the virus. The man’s death marked the 89th coronavirus-related death in Idaho.

Coronavirus cases have been identified in the majority of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 856, Adams 6, Bannock 62, Benewah 10, Bingham 26, Blaine 504, Bonner 7, Bonneville 57, Camas 1, Canyon 331, Caribou 4, Cassia 123, Custer 2, Elmore 34, Franklin 16, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 49, Idaho 3, Jefferson 8, Jerome 180, Kootenai 99, Latah 7, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 31, Madison 19, Minidoka 88, Nez Perce 75, Owyhee 9, Payette 24, Power 7, Teton 10, Twin Falls 402, Valley 3 and Washington 51.

Community spread has been detected in 25 Idaho counties: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton and Twin Falls.

This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 11:19 AM.