GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The theme for this year’s Clay County Agriculture Fair is “What a ride! 35 years!” and that’s exactly how fair organizers will proceed despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fair, which is scheduled for an April 1-11 run, will include fun, food, entertainment, rides and livestock shows for families in our area. However, visitors will be asked to follow some simple guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, general manager Tasha Hyder said.

“We know these are difficult times and there are many concerns about health and safety,” she said. “Our team is working hard to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on our communities while preparing for the upcoming fair. The Clay County Agricultural Fair continues to be in constant contact with county and health officials to ensure the safety of our guests. As we get closer to opening day, we want our guests to review our COVID-19 plan on our website and then evaluate their own personal health situation to make a decision that best fits their family.”

The following procedures have been set in place to create a safe environment for our fairgoers, volunteers, vendors and employees”

1. To cut down on the amount of touch points we have with guests, we highly recommend that guests purchase their tickets on our website, claycountyfair.org. This will also allow guests to go through our Fast Pass Lane at the main gate. Guests will still be able to purchase tickets at the gates and we will still accept cash transactions.

2. New training programs have been provided to volunteers and employees instructing them on how to stay safe and keep fairgoers safe. Additional hand sanitation and hand washing stations have been installed in all areas of the fair.

3. Fairgoers are strongly advised to wear masks while attending the fair, but it is not required. Masks will be available for free at our Guest Services booths for those that may have left their mask at home or lost theirs coming to the fair. We will also have neck gaiters for sale while supplies last.

4. Touch-free or contactless payment options will be provided for admission and throughout the midway.

5. Volunteers and midway employees who have been diagnosed or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be prohibited from entering the premises. Temperature checks will also be done prior to start of shifts.

6. Informative signage will be posted at entrances and throughout the fairgrounds to remind fairgoers to adhere to the guidelines provided by the CDC.

7. Fairgoers will be advised to utilize sanitation stations before entering each ride or attraction, and before and after consuming food and drinks.

8. Additional cleaning procedures have been put in place for the 2021 fair. New procedures have been implemented to increase cleaning and sanitization frequency. Arena stadium seating and all bleachers around the grounds will be sanitized after each show.

9. All rides undergo a deep cleaning and sanitizing procedure prior to opening. This process is repeated throughout the fair. In addition, all high touch areas are sanitized at regular intervals during each days' operation.

10. Some seating areas throughout the fairgrounds are reconfigured to promote social distancing.

11. Anywhere there is the potential for people to stand in a line, queuing instructions (i.e., signage) and devices shall be used to instruct patrons to maintain safe distances from one another.

12. Food service areas will adhere to the guidelines set forth by the CDC for restaurants and dining services.

13. Concert seating has been spaced out and the VIP area has been increased with a reduced number of tickets being sold in the area. Meet-n-Greets have been cancelled. Food that is included in the VIP area has been changed to Grab n’ Go.

The Clay County Agriculture Fair will differ from other venues in a variety of ways, including:

1. It occur outdoors and most of our activities are conducted outdoors. Our concerts are in a covered, opened air arena.

2. Most of the fair’s grounds entertainment for 2021 is outdoors.

3. Fairgrounds dining will occur outside.

4. Exposure time between non-same household sheltering family members is somewhat limited and is completely controllable by the fair’s guests themselves.

5. The fair’s buildings include several fully enclosed exhibit halls with HVAC systems.

6. Based on national fair data, nearly 90% of people who attend fairs are made up of families who live in the same home and thus do not need to be physically distanced from each other.

7. The fair’s guests freely move throughout the outdoor portion of the fairgrounds as opposed to sitting in a single location for an extended period.