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Hancock County Fair needs $80K in fundraising to operate fair in September

Fundraising lost in the spring due to COVID-19 shutdown was covered by State of Ohio, but more funds are still need soon.

FINDLAY, Ohio — We've seen many fairs, festivals and other event canceled this year. 

But in Hancock County, the show might go on.    

But organizers say they will need some help from their community.

The Hancock County Fair is still expected to be held this year beginning Sept. 2, and lasting until Sept. 7. 

On average, operating the fair costs the Hancock County Agricultural Society about half a million dollars and now there's the additional cost for cleaning and signage due to the coronavirus.

"Even this year more so than any others, we'd really like to be able to deliver the fair. For those who exhibit, but also those who just come out for one day, or two days worth of fun and entertainment and fair food, right," said Jeff Cole, President of the Hancock County Agricultural Society.

But due to the pandemic shutdown over the spring, the Ag Society missed out on multiple annual fundraisers, losing an estimated $50,000. 

That loss was covered by the State of Ohio for Junior Fair Funding, but they are still short.

As a result the fair board has been holding a Go Fund Me campaign to raise the remaining $80,000 needed to ensure the annual fair can still go on.

Though there's less than a week left to donate, the fair board believes people who want the fair to happen will be willing to vote with their wallets.

"You know, if every one of our 7,700 some Facebook followers would just give $10, boom, we'd be there. So, $10 at a time is great as long as we've got the volume to do that," said Cole.

The deadline to donate is this week on Friday July 17. 

If the fundraising goal isn't reached, the fair board will then have to determine what can or can't happen, depending on how much money they end up with.

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