— Daily Freeman- Journal file photo.

The Hamilton County Fair will have a different look this summer as fair officials have decided to cancel parts of the annual exhibition and modify others.

In a statement released on its Facebook page, the Hamilton County Fair Board said the decision comes in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the board’s interests in keeping fair participants and volunteers safe and healthy. The fair, scheduled for July 21 through July 26.

“After much discussion and deliberation, it is with heavy hearts that the Board of Directors announce the cancellation of the carnival, parade, open class exhibits, grounds entertainment, food stands, camping, vendors, the Central Iowa Showdown and live entertainment for 2020,” the statement said.

“This year our focus will be on our youth and providing them with a safe and healthy environment in which to showcase their hard work and projects. That exhibition of 4-H/FFA livestock (in county only, no District shows allowed) and Static exhibits will be accomplished by keeping within the Centers for Disease Control and Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” officials said.

Livestock show attendance will be limited and not open to the public. All efforts will be made to live stream each livestock show and post live results as they happen for those that will be unable to attend in person.

“The Executive Board has spent many hours consulting with the Association of Iowa Fairs, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, Hamilton County Public Health, Hamilton County Emergency Management, Hamilton County Board of Supervisors, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Hamilton County,” according to officials. The board is working on an updated event schedule that will allow attendees to practice social distancing and allow the board to properly sanitize.