MUNCIE, Ind. — The parking lot at the Delaware County Fairgrounds has a few dozen cars in the parking lot.
Normally, the lot would be filled with trailers. Inside, where bleacher seating once lined the show space, are blue Xs placed six feet apart for social distancing.
The pandemic has forced a lot of the events and activities kids enjoy to be put on hold. Many children were worried it meant they weren’t going to be able to compete in their county fair’s livestock shows.
“I knew all this stuff was going on (with the pandemic) and I really like showing. It’s basically the highlight of my year, so I was worried,” said Hannah Swanson, who is competing in the Delaware County Fair Sheep Show.
This year, there’s no carnival and there are no spectators. But the Delaware County 4-H Fair is still happening.
“This year it’s a show and go,” said Purdue Extension Delaware County Extension Director Molly Hunt. “So instead of our families coming in here and taking care of them (their livestock) for a week on the fairgrounds, they come in on the day of that species’ show and then they leave at the end of it."
Each child is allowed up to four guests.
Masks are encouraged when people are interacting with others outside of their family unit. The check-in desk has masks for anyone who may need one.
Swanson said she doesn’t care that things are a little different this year, or that she’s not able to do much of the activities she would normally be able to due to the pandemic.
“I was just really excited that I could show, period,” she said.
She said she raised a lot of good sheep this year and was worried she wouldn’t be able to showcase their potential.
Organizers realize some of their participants may be high-risk or not feel comfortable coming to compete in person. That’s why they created a virtual option.
“Youth are able to upload pictures and videos of their project or exhibit and they still get to participate and make that achievement,” said Hunt.
Those using the virtual option are still competing against the in-person participants.
“Same judging, same judging criteria (for those who) are exhibiting in person, so nobody is penalized for choosing the virtual option at all,” said Hunt.
The static projects exhibition is also still taking place. Since the entire in-person portion of the fair is for exhibitors only, organizers said the event will be broadcast live on Facebook.