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Coronavirus Latest: Delaware State Fair Still Scheduled To Go On Despite Canceling Concerts

HARRINGTON, Del. (AP) — The Delaware State Fair has canceled it's 2020 concert series due to coronavirus safety concerns, but the fair is still scheduled to go on. Organizers did not give more detail on what that event will be, but noted it will be a fair of "some kind" in late July that is "within the parameters" of what state and public health officials deem to be safe, according to Monday's announcement.

The canceled series that was scheduled for this summer totaled nine shows that included performances by Dierks Bentley and Hank Williams, Jr.

Delaware State Fair General Manager Bill DiMondi said the arenas that would have housed those concerts were not flexible enough to support the social distancing measures needed to ensure virus safety.

The fair's Assistant Manager Danny Aguilar said in a Facebook live video Monday that organizers decided having close to 8,000 people in a close proximity won't lead to a safe environment. According to Aguilar, the state fair is considering different methods to implement social distancing in a modified fair, including allowing online ticketing options for some attractions and streaming livestock shows.

2020 Delaware State Fair Update

Thank you for your patience as we continue to evolve and adjust to our ever changing world. Here is a 2020 Delaware State Fair Update to help keep our Fair Community informed. Stay safe and healthy #fairstrong

Posted by Delaware State Fair on Monday, April 27, 2020

 

Organizers said they will automatically give out full refunds for those who purchased concert tickets from the state fair until the end of next month. This year's modified fair is scheduled to be held from July 31 to August 1.

As of Sunday evening, state officials reported more than 4,160 cases of COVID-19 in Delaware and five additional deaths, bringing the total to 125 fatalities.

(Copyright 2020 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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