The State Fair of Texas has canceled this year’s fair due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The fair made the announcement on their website:

“With a heavy heart, we are announcing that the State Fair of Texas will not open for the 2020 season. We believe the spirit of the Lone Star state lies in every Texan’s ability to care and look out for their neighbor and it is with this in mind, we have decided to keep our guests, staff, and partners safe and healthy during these uncertain time. Click the button below to find out more information about this news, including refund information for those who have already purchased a ticket. We look forward to giving y’all a great big Howdy in 2021.”

Organizers said they talked with “fairgoers, concessionaires, commercial exhibitors, Midway operators, auto manufacturers, business partners, staff, medical experts, and government officials” before reaching their decision.

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The fair said they worked to develop contingency plans to keep attendees and workers safe, but knew that if any of those plans failed it would only contribute to further spread of the virus.

“While we are heartbroken at the notion of not welcoming more than 2.5 million of our closest friends for this annual celebration of the Lone Star State, the excitement we feel in moving forward with planning the 2021 State Fair of Texas and keeping this 134-year tradition alive will keep us motivated until we can greet our fairgoers, seasonal staff, and business partners again in a safe environment,’” said Mitchell Glieber, president of the State Fair of Texas.

The Texas State fair said nonprofit efforts will continue and that the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and livestock shows, Big Texas Scholarship Program, Big Tex Urban Farms and other community outreach initiatives will continue to have funding.

Organizers said the NCAA, respective conferences and universities that play football games at the Cotton Bowl during the fair will make decisions on whether or not those games take place, but that if they take place they will take place in Fair Park.

The cancellation of this year’s State Fair of Texas is the first time the fair has not opened in 75 years — since World War II. The fair was previously canceled because of World War I (1918), planning for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition and 1937 Pan American Exposition at Fair Park (1935 – 1937), and World War II (1942 – 1945).