2021 DuPage County Fair Nixed Amid Ongoing Coronavirus Concerns

ACROSS ILLINOIS — Hopes that the DuPage County Fair would return in summer 2021 have been dashed after the DuPage County Fair Association announced that the fair would be canceled for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus crisis. The 2021 DuPage County Fair had been tentatively scheduled for July 21 through July 25, but officials are still planning to "explore the possibilities of a similar type event in the fall," according to a news release.

The news comes after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's March 31 announcement that plans to further reopen the state are on hold due to increasing coronavirus hospitalizations.

The DuPage County Fairgrounds also remain committed to supporting the county's coronavirus vaccination efforts as long as necessary, DuPage County Fair Association Executive Manager Jim McGuire told Patch via email. "These efforts will support all future events in the community," McGuire added.

A coronavirus vaccine clinic opened at the fairgrounds in early February.

The county's 4-H program will host a show at the fairgrounds in July, the news release noted. It read, "The Fair Association is working with University of Illinois Extension – DuPage County to create an opportunity for 4-H members to show their projects and animals."

Those who take part will still be able to vie for a spot to compete at the Illinois State Fair.

In his news release, McGuire wrote that the decision not to move forward with the DuPage County Fair in 2021 was a "difficult" one.

He told Patch, "We very much look forward to when the time is right, to invite the community back out to the fairgrounds to gather."

Nearby Kane County recently announced it still plans to hold the 2021 Kane County Fair July 14 through July 18.

How do you feel about the decision not to move forward with the 2021 DuPage County Fair? Let us know in the comments.