The 2020 Southeast Alaska State Fair is canceled and its entire staff has been furloughed, according to an announcement from the staff and board of the fair.
The announcement cited COVID-19 concerns as the reason for the cancellation and the loss of revenue caused by the cancellation as the reason employees are furloughed.
Southeast Alaska State Fair Executive Director Kari Johnson said in an email the furloughs impact three full-time office staff, two maintenance staff and two part-time summer positions.
It also affects an estimated four fair-time-only positions and about 41 vendors who rely on the fair for at least part of their income, Johnson said.
“We, the staff and board of directors, are heartbroken with this decision but know it is the right call to make,” read the announcement. “While we cannot join together in 2020 under Paysons Pavilion, dancing in the fading light from the west on a warm July night in Haines, we are committed to be there for you in 2021.”
