The 2020 California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles that was to begin July 22 has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Ventura County Fair planned to open Aug. 5 has also been canceled. But the Santa Barbara County Fair slated for July 15 is still scheduled for now.

The decision on the Mid-State Fair was based on current restrictions from state and local leaders regarding mass gatherings, according to a news release.

“The well-being and health of our community is our top priority. Putting on a safe and fun fair has always been our goal, and we had remained hopeful that the 2020 fair could indeed happen. However, the current restrictions have made that impossible,” said David Baldwin, 16^th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors president. “We will miss this year’s fair tremendously, but we are now turning our focus to making sure our 4-H, FFA and Industrial Arts exhibitors are taken care of.”

To that end, the Junior Livestock Show and Auction will be held virtually, near the end of July or the beginning of August. The Mid-State Fair is also working to facilitate a show, either in person or virtually, but the details depend on the state’s position within the governor’s reopening plan.

There will be a similar show for the industrial arts which would have been represented at the fair. The fair’s website did promise a display and an auction sometime in the near future, but again, whether that display is live or virtual will depend on the state’s ability to reopen.

The Mid-State Fair will not be rescheduled to later in the year. Instead, the organizers are looking forward to 2021, when the Mid-State Fair will be turning 75.