For the first time in more than seven decades, there won't be a Ventura County Fair this year. It's the latest event cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
The 12-day-long fair attracts about 300,000 visitors a year to Ventura. It began in 1875, and took place annually until World War II. During the war, the military used the fairgrounds as one of its staging areas for troops intended to protect the West Coast against a possible invasion.
The Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors decided unanimously to cancel the 2020 event, which would have been the 145th County Fair. Even after stay at home and business closure orders are lifted, no one knows when events which attract large crowds will be allowed to resume.
Fair officials say the fairgrounds will be reopened for other events during the year when health officials say it's safe.
