The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show is happening this year.
While excitement is in the air, there are still some questions about how it will run.
The Fair Board is confident that the core aspects of the event can go smoothly, but there are still some items that may need to be called or modified closer to the date.
Our interview with Fair General Manager George Araujo can be heard below, but here are some of the key questions the public may have about the 2021 Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show.
Will there be rides at the fair?
Yes.
A wide variety of rides will be at the fair this year, but depending on rules in place in October, social distancing and other requirements will need to be taken into account when setting up the fairgrounds as well.
Will there be food vendors and exhibits?
Yes.
Again, social distancing and masking may be required depending on the location and space, but vendors are looking forward to returning to Norfolk.
Will there be a Young Canada Day event at the Grandstands?
To be determined at a later date.
The first day of the fair, October 5th, will officially be Young Canada Day in the sense that students get in for free, but further information from the school boards will need to come forward to see whether the typical YCD activities (i.e. tug of war, races, cheerleading, grandstand decorating) will be able to move forward.
This decision will also be impacted by provincial requirements as well.
Will there be a Monster Trucks show or a Demolition Derby?
To be determined at a later date.
More information is needed regarding what will happen with outdoor capacity limits following Stage 3 of Ontario’s Reopening plan.
Specifically, the fair is looking to see if events like the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show will need to follow different rules when holding an event.
Specifically, capacity limits and other rules for outdoor shows.
Will there be live music this year?
Yes.
At this time live music will be played at the grandstands and the Simcoe Recreation Centre.
Musical acts will be booked with the hope that planning for these concerts could be scaled up depending on rules in place come October.
As an example, they could sell track seating for a concert in order to ensure everyone is safely spaced out and meeting government protocols as they try to figure out how to allow audiences at the grandstands, as social distancing and capacity rules may be harder to enforce due to the set up of the grandstands themselves.
The fair is waiting on official word from the government before making any formal announcement on how the viewing of outdoor concerts will move forward, but the concerts at the Simcoe Rec Centre will be by a reserved table.
This again can be scaled up to add more tables depending on the regulations and rules in place come October.