The Orange Country Fair Committee has announced that it is postponing the iconic Orange Country Fair due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the next fair to be held Sept. 17 to Sept. 19, 2021.
“The Fair Committee is saddened that we will not be able to put on the fair this year,” committee co-chairs Karen McCausland and Kevin Monck said in a press release. “We felt that with the continued uncertainty of the virus, the uncertainty of the state entering phase 4 for reopening (large gatherings outside larger than 100 people), and how to maintain safe social distancing practices. The committee did not make this decision lightly. There was a lot of discussion, but it ultimately came down to doing what is best for our own committee, our volunteers, the town and public safety. We considered all elements upon making this decision – how to social distance in our very popular and tight areas, how to properly deep-clean equipment and tables after each use based on federal and state guidelines and how all these factors would impact on the fair. We want to err on the side of caution and our top priority was the health and safety of our community.”
McCausland and Monck said they were considering putting together smaller events this fall that would allow for proper social distancing.
“We are heartbroken that this had to happen,” they said. “In the past we put on a fair just days after 9/11 and survived potential hurricanes whipping up the coast, but this pandemic is like nothing any of us has had ever envisioned.”