ICONIC HARROW FAIR ON HOLD
Safety concerns delay 166th edition
Another long-standing summer tradition has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 166th edition of the Harrow Fair, which was scheduled to take place Sept. 3-6, has been postponed this year. The announcement was made on Sunday in a media release from president Ed Gibbs, and it is believed to be the first time in the event’s history that it has had to be postponed.
“It is with sadness the board of directors of Colchester South and Harrow Agricultural Society announce that the 166th presentation of the Harrow Fair will take place Thursday through Sunday of Labour Day weekend 2021, and not in 2020 as originally planned,” said Gibbs, who said the vote was unanimous.
“We will be forever grateful for the sacrifices made by the many front-line workers during these times, and are unwilling to put those sacrifices at risk by believing current restrictions will be lessened sufficiently within the next 100 days to hold the 166th presentation of the Harrow Fair in September 2020 as originally planned.”
As with so many other events that have been called off this year, Gibbs pointed to safety as the main reason for not holding the event as the province continues to battle the COVID-19 crisis.
“It seems unreasonable to ask judges to taste and/or touch hundreds of entries so soon after this experience,” Gibbs said. “It would be irresponsible to ask our volunteers to attend the gates, collect garbage and co-ordinate activities in such an uncertain time.
“Plexiglas barriers, masks and arrows directing the flow of the crowd are just not conducive to a fair atmosphere. There is too much to see and do at the Harrow Fair to put these types of restrictions in place.”
Gibbs knows that calling off the 2020 event will impact several charities, vendors, entertainers and local businesses that rely on the Harrow Fair as a source of revenue.
“We must consider the safety of all involved and pray that they survive this experience both from a health and fiscal perspective,” Gibbs said.
“In this regard, we ask our supporters to practise social distancing and keep them in mind when making purchase decisions. Start making plans now for the 166th presentation of the Harrow Fair.”
Gibbs said the next Harrow Fair is scheduled for Sept. 2-5, 2021.