Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Summer Without Fairs Leaves US Farm Kids Heartbroken

Associated Press

   TOLEDO, OHIO - Well before the sun rises and then again after school,
   Arrissa Swails feeds and waters her goats, fancy chickens and three
   dairy cows. There's another trip to the barn at night to hustle the
   chickens into their coop.

   It's a daily routine that typically takes the high school senior at
   least three hours.

   This week, she'd be parading her livestock at the Hancock County Fair,
   hoping to win a grand champion ribbon during her last turn in the show
   ring. But there is no fair this year for her or anyone else, another
   tradition wiped away from the 2020 calendar by the coronavirus.

   "I bawled my eyes out," she said about the fair's first cancellation
   since World War Two. "Honestly, it means everything to me. It's
   definitely weird this year without it."

   Not many county or state fairs in the U.S. are continuing on without
   major changes, about 80% have been called off or drastically scaled
   down by eliminating carnival rides, concerts and tractor pulls,
   according to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.
   Some are only allowing youth livestock competitions and auctions or
   opening for "fair food drive-thrus."

.