2020 Freeborn County Fair cancelled

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners at a meeting Tuesday voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 Freeborn County Fair, which had been scheduled for August 4th-9th, as well as to suspend all other activities at the fairgrounds until further notice.

The action was taken due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Freeborn County Administrator Tom Jensen stated to the board that there are discussions taking place with University of Minnesota Extension regarding 4-H students and making sure they would still be able to show their animals and projects.  Freeborn County Fair Board Manager Mike Woitas told the board that people who purchased 2020 reserved tickets, season passes or passports online through www.midwestix.com can expect refunds to be processed in the next two weeks. Refunds will be processed automatically, and no action is required.  He went on to state that more information will be forthcoming for people who purchased tickets in person at the fair office. All tickets will need to be turned into the fair office to obtain a refund.  The fair office is closed due to Governor Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order, and people should email [email protected] with questions.

Woitas stated that the last time the fair was canceled was in 1946 because of polio, and before that it was in 1903 because of rain.