Stoddard County Fair canceled due to COVID-19

Another local fair scheduled for next month has decided to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic while the annual Cotton Carnival is still on – for now.

On Tuesday, the Stoddard County Fair Board elected not to proceed with the 2020 Stoddard County Fair in Dexter, joining the SEMO District Fair in Cape Girardeau and the Delta Fair in Kennett in canceling their annual events.

“After talking with state and local officials, meeting with local volunteers and talking in depth with both we have made the hard decision that we cannot proceed safely,” said Stoddard County Fair Board Chairman Henry Kestner in a released statement. “The health and safety of our patrons, volunteers, entertainers and the entire community has to be our first concern. It was our ultimate decision that we would be unable to safely have the event that we have all become accustomed to.”

Kestner added that a lot of discussion went into making the decision.

“The Fair Board knew that whatever decision was made we would not be able to make everyone happy, so this was not a decision we made without lots of discussion or that we have took lightly,” Kestner said. “It is with the greatest hopes that we will be able to have a great fair September 21-25, 2021.”

When contacted Tuesday afternoon, an employee at the Sikeston American Legion said the annual Sikeston Cotton Carnival is still on for Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds with the popular Cotton Carnival Parade to be held Oct. 3 as well. However, if conditions with the pandemic worsen, there could be changes.