Update: May 26
A decision on whether or not to cancel the state fair inched closer Tuesday.
The State Fair Park Board of Directors met this morning and unanimously voted to give the decision making power to board chair, John Yingling.
Official Statement:
A decision was not made today regarding whether the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair will take place. The goal is to have a decision announced by the end of May. Today the State Fair Park Board of Directors voted unanimously to authorize Chairman Yingling to make the determination whether events currently scheduled at State Fair Park, including the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair, are to be canceled after sufficient input from each Board member as well as Kathleen O’Leary, Executive Director/CEO. If the Chairman determines that events should be canceled, he has the authority, duty and responsibility to cancel events until this authority is revoked by the Board.
Original story
Fair-goers and vendors alike have been wondering if the Wisconsin State Fair had a deadline for deciding the fate of this year’s fair.
According to an email obtained by WTMJ’s John Mercure, that deadline is the end of this month.
Dear Wisconsin State Fair Vendor,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your check-ins, your supportive calls and emails, your feedback, and your patience. Many of you have also reached out with inquiries about agreements and due date timelines, and we wish to provide you with the following update. As the State Fair Park Board of Directors continue to work with staff and government officials on the safety of mass gatherings related to COVID-19, we have decided to put a hold on sending agreements until a decision has been made regarding the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair. We understand the uncertainty of this time in our lives and our industry, therefore a decision will be made by the end of May and an adjusted timeline will be communicated at that time as necessary. We hope this email finds you and yours healthy.
The email was received by a vendor Tuesday evening.
A source told Mercure this is a critical time for vendors as they try to set their schedule and budget for the summer. They and others have been pressing the Wisconsin State Fair to make a decision on this year’s event.
In recent interviews, Mercure has asked the CEO of the Wisconsin State Fair Kathleen O’Leary where things stand.
Will there be a Wisconsin State Fair in 2020? During a WTMJ Cares Town Hall, @JohnMercure asked @wistatefair CEO Kathleen O’Leary just that
— 620wtmj (@620wtmj) May 20, 2020
Full interview: https://t.co/sEDqWIQfPu pic.twitter.com/XkndpZLvr7