The 2020 Arapahoe County Fair has been canceled due to concerns over spreading COVID-19, officials announced on May 20.

Initially scheduled for July 23 through 26, the fair was canceled by the Board of County Commissioners after consultation with event management, the county's Office of Emergency Management and the Tri-County Health Department.

“Establishing the necessary social distancing requirements within the midway, the ticketing booths, the food and beverage booths, as well as in spectator areas, proved to be unworkable given the constraints of the site,” read a news release in part.

The fair, held at the county fairgrounds on Quincy Avenue east of E-470, drew a record 27,000 attendees last year.

Organizers are hoping to host a “limited” 4H competition and a virtual livestock auction, though details have not yet been hammered out, according to the release.

“It is critical that we continue to support Arapahoe County’s 4-H youth programs and honor all their hard work year-round,” said Commissioner Jeff Baker, who represents eastern Arapahoe County. “These kids are the future of Colorado and they deserve recognition.”

The fairgrounds were repurposed into an “Alternate Care Facility” in March in anticipation of a swell of COVID-19 cases, but the facility has not been used. The facility will remain on standby to receive patients indefinitely.

“This was a very difficult decision for the Board, but in the end we decided that the potential health risks to our staff, volunteers and the general public still are too great to allow us to commit to holding this very large gathering in July,” said Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy Sharpe. “The Arapahoe County Fair is a 114-year-old community tradition, one we treasure. The sacrifices we are all having to make through this unprecedented health crisis are profound. But we will get through this together – and the fair will return with 'Fair fun for Everyone' in 2021.”