We’re going to do the best we can.”

Superintendent Kathi Johnson

One month ahead of the Jefferson County Fair, the fairgrounds would normally be busy with 4-H’ers, vendors and fair board staff setting up themed decorations, booths, and cages for the thousands of people that would soon be walking through the gates, children and adults alike excited to see what the local exhibitors have to show. 

This year, those fairgoers will tune in online for the two-day event, and submit their fair entries via email.

The 2020 Jefferson County Fair — themed “To the fair, and beyond! — will still occur over the second weekend in August, but to a two-dimensional audience. The virtual fair is focusing on static displays, as well as submitted videos. 

The fair’s virtual premium book features dozens of departments and classes accepting entries from anyone in the county. Some of the normal classes have been changed to accommodate life at home, and others created to fit common pandemic themes. The best pet dressed up in  personal protective equipment or a video of a quarantine garden make up some of the dozens of interesting ones in the latter category.

Many of these listings come from the Home Arts Department. Superintendent Kathi Johnson said of the changes: “We’re going to do the best we can.”

The deadline to submit entries is July 20, less than two weeks away. 

HISTORY OF THE FAIR

The first Jefferson County Fair was held in Quilcene in 1902 and moved to Port Townsend in 1911. The fairs ran until 1931 when activities ceased and the buildings were taken down by the Works Progress Administration. 

It wasn’t until 1946 that the annual fairs started again, and the following year all members of the community were invited to join 4-H members as exhibitors. 

This means that 2020 is the first since World War II that the Jefferson County Fair isn’t held in person during the year.

The decision to cancel the fair was made May 14 as the lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic made an in-person fair that adhered to social distancing guidelines impossible. 

The Facebook posting announcing the cancellation was met with mixed replies, from mournful to reminiscent to angry.

That announcement was amended June 25 with news of a virtual fair, which would be held over the same dates. 

CHANGES IN A VIRTUAL FAIR

In the Home Arts Department, Johnson wanted to make things as simple as possible for fair participants and cut down on the number of possible competitions to enter into. This also makes the fair easier for Johnson herself, who will be serving as one of two judges for the department. 

Normally she would hire seven or eight judges, Johnson explained, but this year the judging is being done by department staff.

Other changes are being made within the entries, as well. Aside from perishable baked goods, anything from this year will also qualify to be entered in the 2021 fair. 

“I’m hoping we get some engagement, but I don’t know,” Johnson said. “It’s all new to everybody. It’s going to be interesting to see how it goes.”

Although the online format might make the fair more accessible for those on the farther edges of the county, it brings challenges for those less accustomed to virtual interactions. 

Johnson’s mom is relying on her to lead the process of photographing entries and submitting the required forms via email.

“It’s going to be new for a lot of people,” Johnson said.

MAKING A NEW COMMUNITY EVENT

The Jefferson County Fairgrounds Facebook page has been filled every day with photos from fairs past, a decades-long exploration of the community event. 

The images are updated by Sue McIntire, fair manager. Many of McIntire’s own favorite memories from her childhood come from the county fair, and she knew it couldn’t go away completely.

The idea for a virtual fair has been on the table since the event was canceled, she explained. 

“We wanted to have some kind of presence,” McIntire said. 

The fair board created a virtual premium book, allowing participants to email in their registration and contribution. 

“I hope people will support our Jefferson County Fair by entering in at least one of the offered virtual classes,” said Laurie Hampton, secretary for the Jefferson County Fair Association. “The rules and the classes being offered are very flexible, creative, and fun.” 

McIntire fears that the distancing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic are taking away people’s ability to engage in important activities. 

“We’re losing our sense of community,” she said. “The fairs are all about the sense of community and family.”

Entries for the virtual fair will be posted online for the community to enjoy, both on Facebook and the fair’s website. There will be slideshows of the static exhibits, McIntire said, and live events streaming on Facebook.

McIntire said the fair board is looking to schedule more entertainment and demonstrators to join for the virtual event, as well. 

BEYOND THE FAIR

The Washington State Fair is still on schedule for Sept. 4 through Sept. 27, assuming that Pierce County is in Phase 4 of Washington’s “Safe Start” reopening plan by then. Normally, 4-H’ers must qualify at the county level to compete at state, but that requirement was waived this year, McIntire said. 

“In 2021 hopefully we’ll come back strong, on track, able to actually hug each other,” McIntire said.

Some of the prizes for winners this year are tickets for the 2021 fair. 

“People need to know that we haven’t just bailed,” McIntire said. “We’ll be back. Come see us next year.”

Hampton also hopes that everyone has the 2021 Jefferson County Fair marked down in their calendar for Aug. 13, Aug. 14, and Aug. 15.