No rides, fewer dates. 2020 SC State Fair will look very different because of COVID-19
Not even the South Carolina State Fair is immune from the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The annual event will look very different this year as a result of the rising amount of COVID-19 cases.
This year’s S.C. State Fair will be a drive-thru event, organizers said Wednesday in a news release. It will open for a much shorter time, only on Oct. 20 and 21, according to the release.
“In the midst of the worst global crisis of our lifetime, we wanted to give the community something positive to look forward to,” S.C. State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith said in the release. “Our team is proud to offer a free event where families and friends can experience the joy of the State Fair in a safe and fun environment.”
Visitors will get to experience car-friendly attractions that highlight South Carolina’s agriculture, history, arts and culture, organizers said.
Unfortunately, sitting in a car will be the only ride available to guests at the Columbia fairgrounds this year. There will be no amusement park rides because of safety precautions.
But not all of the popular traditions from the fair are being put on hold.
In a twist on the restaurant drive-through concept, guests will be able to drive into the fairgrounds, across the street from Williams-Brice Stadium, and purchase their favorite fair foods, according to the release.
Additionally, organizers said they have a way to experience the exhibits, crafts and animals that make the S.C. State Fair “known and loved — in a safe environment.”
“As the state’s largest event, we have a responsibility to take care of our neighbors and protect those we love,” said Smith. “To prioritize community health and well-being, our team has spent countless hours developing the best and safest State Fair possible. Safety is always our number one concern, and it is clear to us that the State Fair must adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Organizers are also looking ahead to next year’s event, when they hope to offer a more traditional state fair. It is scheduled for Oct. 13-24, 2021.
In the meantime, Smith said this year’s fair is a safe alternative.
“The Drive-Through State Fair is going to give folks a snippet of the fair they’ve known their entire lives,” said Smith. “It will certainly look different, but we look forward to sharing this gift with the community. It will truly be a year like no other.”
The North Carolina State Fair was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is the first time since World War II North Carolina won’t hold the event, the News & Observer reported.
While the S.C. State Fair has not been canceled, many other iconic events in Columbia and the Midlands have been scrapped this year. The state fair joins the Columbia Greek Fest, the Rosewood Crawfish Festival, Indie Grits film festival, Columbia’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festival in Five Points, Camden’s Carolina Cup steeplechase races and the Lexington Wine Walk among other notable events that have been canceled, altered, or held exclusively online because of the ongoing pandemic.
At the 2019 event, the 150th anniversary of the S.C. State Fair, attendance was down. During the 12-day run, 416,320 visitors came to the fair. That marks a decline in attendance, falling from last year’s figure of 443,712 visitors, which was one day shorter than planned after being interrupted by Hurricane Michael.
“We’ve been bringing folks together for 150 years, and we plan on being here to continue our beloved tradition for decades to come,” said Smith. “Thank you for standing by us now, and thank you for keeping the spirit alive as we bring your tradition — your South Carolina State Fair — to you in a new way this October. We’ll be back — better and stronger — in 2021.”
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This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 10:39 AM with the headline "No rides, fewer dates. 2020 SC State Fair will look very different because of COVID-19."
