The Osage County Fair Board and the County Commissioners have decided to cancel the 2020 Osage County Free Fair. After much deliberation, the Fair Board made the decision to cancel due to the current Covid-19 precautions. This decision was approved by the Commissioners.

When some of the area schools were contacted about the possibility of area schools bringing their students to the fair, the answers were “very doubtful” or “probably not”. Macy Strom, Fair Board Chair, stated, “Our Fair is so geared toward children, school kids and their families, that the loss of their attendance would be major”. Grade schools, day cares, pre-schools and high school agriculture groups alone bring approximately one thousand people to our fair each year. So many vendors, civic and public service groups set up during the fair and without the kids and their parents, attendance would be extremely low.

The Fair Board was in the process of contracting carnival rides, games and vendors for this year’s fair in an effort to grow our fair and provide more fun and entertainment at the Osage County Free Fair. Spectacular Amusements, a carnival company moving into the Nowata area, was on board to provide 10 – 12 rides, several games of chance & skill and a good variety of food trailers for fair goers. The cost of a last-minute cancelation due to safety precautions amid the Covid concerns would have been cost prohibitive.

“Our Fair Board and the County Commissioners did not make this decision lightly. We were excited about the changes and additions being implemented this year”, said Strom. In the end, it was decided that there were too many possibilities for the spread of the virus, even with numerous safety precautions planned for the event.

During the Monday, July 20th Osage County Commissioners’ meeting, Randall Jones – District One commissioner said; “Our number one concern is the safety and welfare of the people attending the fair. The Board of County Commissioners really wanted to get a carnival back into our fair events and more people involved. We were excited to see the addition of the Carnival but in the end, it came down to the safety aspect.” “We, the Commissioners”, stated Jones, “will work throughout the year with the Fair Board to make the 2021 Osage County Free Fair bigger and better.”

The 2020 Osage County Free Fair Board has representatives from each of the three county commission districts. District #1; Dee Chambers, Cyndi Rasberry, Macy Strom. District #2; Sarah Hull, Blake Hull, Heather Westover. District #3; Karen Miller, Jamie Moon, Amber Roberts.

The 2021 Osage County Free Fair is tentatively set for the second weekend of September, the 8th, 9th. 10th and 11th.