The Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society has made the difficult but appropriate decision to postpone the originally planned 2020 Three County Fair until September 3-6, 2021 due to the on-going COVID-19 health concerns.
While a significant number of factors contributed to this decision, at the heart of each was the well-being of our staff, guests and communities.
We deeply appreciate all of our supporters who have hung in there with us during this process, including all of our entertainers, food, beverage and commercial vendors, amusement and ticketing suppliers, city and public safety officials, local chambers and visitor bureaus, sponsors, staff, volunteers and Society members.
The first Three County Fair was held in 1818. For more than two centuries, the Three County Fair has fulfilled its mission to educate, entertain and promote agriculture as the longest continuously run agricultural fair in the United States.
And just as the Fair has adjusted in the past through such events as our nation’s Civil War, the 1878 tornado that destroyed our Exhibit Hall, the pandemic of 1918, the Great Depression, the 1938 hurricane, and two World Wars, the Three County Fair will once again adapt by outlining plans to host a closed to the public, exhibitor only fair with limited agricultural competitions following approval from local officials and within existing guidelines, protocols and restrictions for Indoor & Outdoor Events under the Massachusetts Reopening Plan.
This version of the Three County Fair will take place on the same days over Labor Day weekend but will be limited to only two different livestock shows per day to stay below the current capacity limitations. Exhibitors who enter the Exhibit Hall competitions, including arts & crafts, baking, needlework, photography, and more, will be required to drop off their entries in advance with judging taking place on Friday.
Three County Fair Schedule:
Friday, September 4 – Exhibit Hall Judging
Saturday, September 5 – Boer Goat & Youth Oxen Show
Sunday, September 6 – Adult & Youth Dairy Shows
Monday, September 7 – Youth Rabbit & Sheep Shows
Although this year will not be the same without fairgoers, we are excited to still be able to promote agriculture in the three Western Mass counties that we represent and keep the next generation engaged in the agricultural education and science that helps sustain our everyday lives here in the Pioneer Valley.