This was supposed to be a huge year for the Berrien County Youth Fair. It was going to be spectacular — the 75th Anniversary of the Midwest’s largest youth fair. Instead…that 75th celebration will be postponed by a year and a truncated, largely private, youth showcase will take its place this summer.
The Board of Directors of the Berrien County Youth Fair tells us, “After much discussion during the past three months, the Board of Directors of the Berrien County Youth Fair has decided to postpone the 75th Anniversary Berrien County Youth Fair to August 16-21, 2021.”
However, the Board Directors and volunteers are planning a showcase and exhibition for the youth this summer. Slated for August 15th-23rd, the “Berrien County Showcase – Where Youth are Essential” will allow the Fair to showcase the exhibits of the county’s youth in a different format and still comply with the current Executive Orders.
The Berrien County 2020 Showcase – Where Youth are Essential will be open to Berrien County Youth between the ages of 5 and 20 as of January 1st. Exhibitor eligibility rules will still apply. There will be no premiums paid to the exhibitors, no traditional BCYF ribbons and no trophies. The showcase will not be open to the public. Only exhibitors and their parents/guardians should plan to attend the Showcase.
There will be a one day showcase for all exhibit areas and there may be multiple department showcases each day. More information, including livestock auction information, will be published as decisions are made.
Throughout the years, the youth of Berrien County have and always will be the passion of the Board of Directors and all the volunteers that make the annual BCYF happen. Officials promise, “This decision was not made in haste. Many months of discussion and sleepless nights went into this decision that the Board feels will ultimately protect the health of our exhibitors and fairgoers.” They conclude, “Thinking outside the box and coming up with workable and safe solutions has been in the forefront of our Board’s decision making process.”
The board thanks everyone for their patience during the process and for their support of the Berrien County 2020 Showcase – Where Youth are Essential. The board adds, “We look forward to celebrating the 75th BCYF in 2021 where hopefully no masks will be required.”
The photo of the Berrien County Youth Fair accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of award-winning professional photographer Molly Pate of Berrien Springs.
