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The move to cancel this year's Trumbull County Fair -- although it's widely seen as the correct decision given the viral pandemic -- still is difficult to accept for many involved in 4-H who have spent considerable time raising animals and working on projects.
Colby Turon, 16, of West Farmington, raises several dairy feeder cows. He was anticipating bringing them to the fair, but understands the decision.
"The fair is always fun to go to and to see everyone. Everyone can show the animals they raise. I can understand the need to keep everyone safe because I know people with weakened immune system that shouldn't be put at risk," Colby said.
Colby said he also will miss camping on the campgrounds and waking up early to start his day and going to bed late after spending time with his friends.
"Even with this all being missed, I do believe it was the best idea to cancel because we don't know what health issues people have. In my family, two of my family members have an immune system problem, which makes it easier for them to get sick. I would hate to have them get sick because of fair," he said.
Colby's father, Joe Turon, said there has been discussions about what to do to help 4-H members sell their livestock. Businesses and restaurants that have previously bought animals might not do so this year because they've been closed, he said.
Monica Culp, adviser for Trumbull County Beef Boosters, said a plan for the youth to sell their animals is being developed. There has been some discussion with the Bloomfield Livestock Auction, she said.
"I know the whole situation has been hard on everyone. We are doing what we can to help the youth market their animals," said Culp, who serves on the livestock sales committee for the fair.
Ashlee Dietz, extension educator, 4-H Youth Development with the Ohio State University Extension Trumbull County, said although Trumbull County 4-H may look different this year, efforts are being made to still provide a positive experience for its members.
"Over the next few weeks, we will be looking into our options regarding future experiences, events and programming," she said.
Colby Turon said the good thing is the fair is trying to figure out if the Bloomfield Livestock Auctions will let the kids sell their animals they worked hard on.
"I myself would appreciate this because I have dairy feeders, but this would help out our other 4-Hers who have market animals. I am happy the fair is finding ways to help the 4-Hers with market animals as much as they can," he said.
Jan Solomon, coordinator of the Trumbull County Junior Fair Board, said before the fair board made a decision on May 21 there had been discussions for weeks on what to do.
"There was no real decision up to then at the state level on fairs, but with social distancing and not having more than 10 people together at one time, holding a fair would be difficult," Solomon said.
She said fair board President Bud Rogers and the others were in contact with the Trumbull County Combined Health District on guidelines of what could be done.
"How could we keep the cows with their owners apart from others? There had to be so much space between and everything had to be outdoors. It would have been hard to keep everyone apart six feet ... There was also the costs for a deep sanitizing twice a day which can be costly," Solomon said.
Solomon said she is aware of junior fairs being held elsewhere, but said it would cost nearly $40,000.
"We usually have sponsors who provide us with $30,000 to $35,000 while this year we only had $1,200 because many people were not sure what was going to happen if we were going to have a fair or not. The businesses also are struggling and may not be able to buy what they want or be sponsors this year," Solomon said.
Solomon said the fair board looked at options of holding a fair, holding a modified fair with a junior fair and no rides or concessions, having a shorter fair of two days or a livestock sale offsite.
She said there are local auctioneers who can hold virtual auctions and live auctions with social distancing to help the 4-H members.
"We are looking at these options and can see where a live auction with the social distancing would be in place. The kids can drop off their animals and only serious buyers would be inside following safety protocols," Solomon said.