Santa Cruz County Fair is a go for September
The planned in-person event marks a return after last year’s virtual exhibits
WATSONVILLE >> The Santa Cruz County Fair is Sept. 1519 this year, marking an inperson return after a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unless conditions change between now and September, we’re going to hold a normal fair like we’ve done since 1947,” said Dave Kegebein, CEO of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
Those attending can expect a normal event, Kegebein said, which will be very similar to the 2019 county fair.
“It’s funny, when you take a year off, it’s kind of like starting out again,” Kegebein
said. “We’re rallying and trying to remember all the things we’ll need to do and make it happen. Fairgoers can expect all the great things we normally do: the animals, exhibits, food, entertainment, rides, carnival games. … It will be a wellrounded event.”
The 2020 fair was canceled as a result of the pandemic, though some events were held virtually, such as the livestock show.
For now, exact COVID-19 safety measures and guidelines for the event are not solidified, according to Kegebein.
“They’ll be the usual. … People are welcome to wear face coverings if they want. We’re still three months away, the rules are in such a state of flux, that it’s too early to determine what we’ll do in September,” Kegebein said.
Fair staff will ask those attending if they have been vaccinated, on the honor system. If they have not been, people will be advised to wear a mask, though Kegebein said that will still likely not be mandatory.
The announcement comes after what has been a challenging year for Santa Cruz County and the fairgrounds community.
“The last year was amazingly difficult,” Kegebein said. “We provided a lot of service to the community, food distributions, vaccinations, evacuations. … We made it through a tough year, and now we’re just super excited to get back to normal.”
Getting back to that normal, includes hosting other events at the fairgrounds, such as the flea market, as well as weddings, Quinceañeras and various other gatherings, including car and horse shows.
Fairgoers can expect some subtle differences, such as the layout for the event. But overall, the Santa Cruz County fair likely will be one that is familiar to the community.
“There’s no easy decision to make in this COVID deal,” Kegebein said. “Of course, if something changes and we have to back up, we have to back up, but right now everything is looking really good. The numbers are good, and I think we’re going to be wellpositioned to have an oldschool fair.”