Two WNC fairs have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a press briefing at the WNC Ag Center Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced the annual Mountain State Fairwill not be held in 2020. The fair was scheduled to talk place Sept. 11 through 20 at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher.
“I would like nothing better than to NOT be making this announcement today,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler at a press briefing Tuesday at the WNC Ag Center. “The Western N.C. Ag Center and the Mountain State Fair are important to the community. Both are cultural and economic forces and I am aware of the significant contributions they make. I am heartbroken for the small
businesses, family farms, competitors and exhibitors impacted by this decision.” A junior livestock show will be held in September - details are still being worked out.
Troxler said this is the first time they’ve had to cancel the fair, which started in 1994 as a 5-day event drawing over 45,000 visitors. In 1998, it moved to a 10-day fair, and drew over 171,000 fairgoers in 2019.
The 108th Cherokee Indian Fair has also been canceled due to the pandemic. The event was scheduled for October at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds in Cherokee.
In aFacebook post, Richard Sneed, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians said,
“While I know we all look forward to the many traditions, food, and events that we associate with the Cherokee Indian Fair the health and safety of the EBCI tribal citizens and our guests is our utmost concern. To protect the safety of EBCI tribal citizens and guests, the Destination Marketing Department has cancelled the Cherokee Indian Fair scheduled for October 2020 after consulting with Vickie Bradley, Secretary of EBCI Public Health & Human Services.”
