Fair board meeting canceled due to possible COVID-19 exposure

The Great Northern Fair Board canceled its monthly meeting Tuesday at the fairground's Community Center due to a possible COVID-19 exposure.

Fairgrounds Manager Frank English said in an email to the board Tuesday evening that he had a sneeze, cough and felt sick.

The email said he could make the meeting but would feel irresponsible doing so.

English told the board that he'd been working in the community center all day and Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson said the board didn't feel safe meeting as scheduled given that there was no time to sanitize the area before the meeting.

Peterson said this cancelation was just a safety precaution.

The board was scheduled to discuss a host of issues including the 4-H sidewalk, updating the Bigger Better Barn, equipment upgrades, designs for a grandstand, the board's yet to be filled secretary position and an upcoming evaluation of the office building for asbestos.

The board would have also discussed a campground paving contract and events for the 2021 Great Northern Fair.

The Great Northern Fair Board's next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Northern Fairgrounds Community Center.