No midway at this year’s county fair.

No midway at this year’s county fair.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — The 149th Annual Oceana County Fair is set for Aug. 24-29, but things will be a lot different due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Oceana County Agricultural Society has announced on the county fair website that there will not be a midway with carnival rides and games this year. It was also announced that “events will be held with no spectators on site.”

“The 2020 Oceana County Fair is still in the planning stages, so please visit regularly for updates,” states www.oceanafair.com. “We will be running with a modified format and schedule with some new features this year that will make this year’s fair unique but still exciting. Unfortunately, there will be no midway this year due to public health restrictions, and events will be held with no spectators on site. But we are working to make several of our main events available to view through live streaming online. More details to come in the near future.”

It is currently undetermined if there will be a demolition derby, said Oceana County Agricultural Society President Paul Erickson. “We are only in Phase 4 (of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s six-phase reopening plan), and we need to to be in Phase 5 for any relaxation of the orders.”

“We are making some no-touch ideas for the fair,” Erickson said. “We are uncertain as to how it will play out as of today. We will meet next Thursday (July 2) to set dates and activities.”

The Oceana County Fair is the second longest-running fair in Michigan.

OCP will provide updated information when it becomes available.

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