An unusual but successful 2020 GJCF

     The 2020 Great Jones County Fair was one for the record books on several levels.

     First, thanks to COVID-19, the only portion of the fair that went off without a hitch were the 4-H and FFA livestock shows and exhibits. For the youth of Jones County, the fair was just as it’s always been.

     For the rest of the fairgoers who love coming to the fair every summer for the once-in-a-lifetime concerts, fried foods, beer garden, midway rides and more, there’s always next year to look forward to…

     Second, this year’s fair lasted nine days instead of the “Five Best Days of Summer.”

     The Jones County Cattlemen kicked off the fair on Saturday, July 18 with the Prime Steer Show. The 4-H/FFA Horse Show, as always, brought an end to the week on Sunday, July 26 (a long day). And everything else was in between.

     Third, the Express duo (myself and Pete Temple) that is known for tackling the fair looked a little different this year. Due to COVID, Pete was out of commission for a while. So we were able to heavily rely on some top-notch former interns who generously stepped up to assist in our fair coverage: Olivia Goodyear and Chloe and Sophie Gray. These girls knew what to expect from previous fair coverage experience, and were a huge help to us.

     Thankfully, Pete returned to work just in time for the Beef Show on Friday, and it felt like old fair times yet again.

     The Express could not have done our job without the help and assistance of the fair board members and Extension staff and volunteers throughout those nine days. Everyone was incredibly helpful if we had questions or needed guidance on anything. (I probably annoyed those working the Swine Show by asking too many questions. Typically Pete covers the Swine Show; he tends to know the ins and outs more so than myself.)

     Fourth, the stands and bleachers at each of the livestock shows this year were almost empty, with the exception of parents, grandparents, and 4-H/FFA leaders. The fair didn’t allow the public to partake in the viewing this year, in an effort to protect the well being of the 4-H/FFA youth and families. With the smaller crowds, with a couple of exceptions, things were pretty quiet.

     It was also a different fair because we didn’t have a fair queen and princess to spotlight in the paper. I thoroughly missed my daily walking taco lunch special from the 4-H food stand, and my annual Sunday stop at the Lions club food stand to end my tiring week at the fair (Their ice-cold lemonade tastes great after a long, hot week.).

     Having covered the GJCF fair now for 10 years, I’ve definitely gotten to know so many of our county’s 4-H and FFA youth and their families. You see these kids start showing and exhibiting when they’re in fourth grade, and next thing you know it’s their last year in 4-H before they head off to college or to start their young adult life. And so many of these kids come back to volunteer at the various shows as adults.

     And I share this sentiment every year following the end of the fair, but these kids are some of the most dedicated and hard working in Jones County. You have to be to survive an unusual fair like this year…