Statewide—Purdue Extension announced on Friday that county fairs could begin on July 4 if each county works with their local health department and reaches Stage 5 of the Governor’s Back on Track plan.
Purdue also laid out dozens of guidelines for county agencies to follow for both animal shows and non-animal exhibits, which will make local counties stuck with making tough decisions. Both Bartholomew County and Rush County have canceled their fairs and have announced they are hosting virtual 4-H project events.
One decision is prohibiting animals from staying overnight at the fairgrounds. Instead, they are mandating counties to hold in-person “show and go” events. They are requiring organizers and 4-Hers to social distance in the show arena and wipe down all equipment, or if possible, show the animal from the trailer.
Under Purdue Extension’s guidelines for livestock and non-livestock, shows are requiring face coverings for every employee, volunteer and 4-H member, social distancing for the pens and stalls, and keeping track of everyone present through sign-in sheets. Purdue Extension recommends that youth practice showing the animals while wearing a mask to get the animal use to the concept.
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