The fair was canceled last year as COVID-19 spread across the state. Those who purchased tickets had the option of receiving a refund or having their tickets roll over into the current year.
This year, fair officials added a weekend to the front end of the fair schedule — it starts on a Friday — and the fair will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays each week. The move, Hoye said, allows the state to "spread Fair attendance across a new weekend."
And, despite the altered schedule, fair officials said this year's event will bring back "fairgoer favorites," including carnival rides, "wacky" fair food, 4-H competitions and other free entertainment.