There will be no Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair announced Sept. 18.
The annual event Downtown was planned Nov. 5-15.
“The impact of the fair’s cancellation will be felt far beyond the loss of our annual celebration,” Bill Olson, president and CEO of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, said in a news release. “We are heartbroken for the small businesses, seasonal workers, competitors, exhibitors, vendors and community outreach groups who rely on the income and exposure the Jacksonville Fair brings them.”
The fair said it will “return bigger and better than ever” Nov. 4-14, 2021.
“We look forward to when we can gather again to celebrate all that is exceptional about Jacksonville and Northeast Florida,” Olson said.
The first Jacksonville Fair was in 1955. It educates attendees about science, the arts, agriculture and horticulture and features various rides and booths.
The fairgrounds will be used to “support and serve the community,” the news release said. The fair is planning a food distribution event leading up to Thanksgiving.
Other events held at the fairgrounds will have capacity limits, social distancing and safety guidelines in place.