North Dakota State Fair Cancelled for 2020 Due to Coronavirus

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The North Dakota State Fair is the latest casualty of the coronavirus outbreak, as the number of cases and deaths in the state continue to rise.

Fair officials announced they’re calling off the event because of uncertainty over the pandemic. The July gathering is the largest annual event in the state, typically attracting around 300,000 people each year to the fairgrounds in Minot.

The decision was “in the best interest for all involved” due to concerns over health and safety, fair officials said. Tickets had been on sale since March. People who purchased tickets with a credit card will get a refund to their account.

Gov. Doug Burgum said at his daily press conference that large events such as the state fair “are very hard to do” in “any way, shape or form and maintain physical distancing.”

Burgum also announced Monday that schools may offer some programs beginning June 1 if local school officials approve and precautions are taken, such as limiting class sizes.

North Dakota health officials on May 11 reported 1,518 confirmed COVID-19 cases, up 27 from the previous day. One death was reported, bringing the statewide total to 36. Health officials identified the victim as a Cass County man in his 90s with underlying health conditions.

More than half of the COVID-19 cases and most of the deaths have been in Cass County, which includes the Fargo and West Fargo metropolitan area.

The number of patients hospitalized was 34, up five from the previous day.

Ward County, which includes Minot, has had 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Minot has been the official state fair since 1966. It was cancelled once before in 2011 due to Souris River flooding that temporarily forced about 11,000 people from their homes and damaged about 4,100 houses and hundreds of businesses.

Minot resident Milton Rolle has attended the fair every year except for 2011. A self-described “old fellow” at 86, he may not have gone this year out of fear of the coronanvirus, even if the fair had not been cancelled.

“I love the fair,” he said. “It’s a good display of North Dakota for anyone who comes to it. But these are very difficult times,” he said.

Minot’s annual Norsk Hostfest, billed as the largest Scandinavian heritage festival in North America, also was called off in March. Each year it draws about 60,000 people for food, music and other entertainment.

Visit Minot Exectutive Director Stephanie Schoenrock said the two events inject about $90 million into the city’s economy annually.

“It’s going to have a big impact on the community,” she said of the fair cancellation. “But I completely understand the reason.”

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.