During normal times, there are certain activities that the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service helps out with, one of these being actively involved in our local county fairs.  But, during COVID-19, the roles we played with the 2020 Spencer County Fair, took on a different look.

With guidance from various local and state agencies, the Spencer Co. Fair Board decided to hold certain events during our normal fair dates in July, 13 events were held in 2020 at the Spencer County Fair.   Events that Spencer County Extension Agents led included the traditional Exhibit Hall and Livestock Shows.            

For the first time, the Exhibit Hall was held at the Extension Office, and with the help of a few volunteers, all exhibits were entered and judged in a socially distanced atmosphere.  There were a total of 110 exhibits entered, including 42 4-H Youth Development entries.  Before the exhibit hall took place, agents held Facebook Live Fair Project Days to encourage local youth to participate in the county fair.  All of the 4-Her’s that participated in the county fair exhibits were then invited to participate in the Kentucky 4-H Showcase.  Five 4-H members submitted pictures of 12 projects for this event, which was highlighted on the Kentucky 4-H Facebook page during the Kentucky State Fair.            

For the Livestock Shows, all exhibitors were socially distanced and wore masks when necessary.  There were a total of 121 entries, in the Open Beef Show, Closed Dairy Show, Closed Hog Show, Open Dairy Goat Show, Open Market Goat Show, Open Market Lamb Show, and Closed Rabbit and Poultry Shows.  This would not have been possible without the dedicated livestock leaders, the Spencer County Fair Board Livestock Committee, and the 4-H Agent all working together.            

Even though the Spencer County Fair looked a lot different this year, it was important for the local community to know that traditional events like the fair were able to go on even during these different times.  All of the local Extension Agents were involved either with the Exhibit Hall and Livestock Shows and were glad to be a part of this year’s local fair.