As summer comes around each year, the county fair is something many people in Stanislaus County and the surrounding area look forward to attending. Thankfully, the fair will be making a return in 2021 after a year of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual Stanislaus County Fair that has been held for 107 years was one of the many attractions that had to halt their services due to local health and safety guidelines in 2020, but with restrictions easing in 2021, the fair is able to reopen.

Matt Crandferd, CEO of the Stanislaus County Fair, and his team are working on when and how they will reopen the fair. 

Crandferd explained that the Stanislaus County Fair is in contact with the county health department on a regular basis to determine what will be allowed and how events will be held so that they can ensure everyone’s safety and health.  

“Our biggest concern is that we are a safe venue, and we want our guests to feel safe here,” Crandferd said.

“For the county fair, we have a lot of changes that will be taking place for 2021. It is mostly centered around what we know we can do at this moment,” continued Crandferd. “We have had to decrease all of our staffing. We have to move slowly as we reopen for fair, which means we are focusing on livestock and our arena series.”

Local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters play a big role when it comes to the livestock portion of the fair, which will present its own unique changes. 

Kennedy Souza is an incoming freshman at Modesto Junior College planning to major in Animal Science. Souza has been participating in FFA for six years and expects the upcoming livestock shows to look a lot different from years past.

“Some changes I will be facing this year will be having to wear a mask and keeping my distance from others to protect myself and everyone around me,” Souza said.

Crandferd explained that there is still ongoing discussion regarding the scheduling of these shows.

“We are planning on having a full schedule of shows and auctions, all driven by a host of volunteers making sure our community youth get the chance to participate. Our arena series, while still getting confirmed, will be only motorized events,” Crandferd said.  

“We will also have a capacity limit per our guidance as an outdoor, assigned seating, live performance venue,” added Crandferd.

Currently there is a 20% capacity cap for the arena at the fairgrounds, meaning that there will also be limited staff.

“Usually we hire 300+ for the fair, and this year, if we exceed 20 people on payroll, I would be surprised,” said Cradferd.

Additionally, the fair hours will change. 

“We will not have regular fair hours, but rather only have the arena scheduled start and end time,” Cranferd explained. “This event is a ticketed event and must be purchased online.”

For more information about the Stanislaus County Fair and to see upcoming events, you can check out their official website at https://stancofair.com.