All of NC is hurting right now because the biggest event of the year was canceled today.

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced on Wednesday that the 2020 N.C. State Fair, scheduled for October 15-25, is canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have hoped, we have prayed and we have schemed and we have thought and thought and thought,” Troxler said. “But at the end of the day, we have to make the best decision that we can make with the information that we have at hand.”

Troxler cited a survey of previous fairgoers, with 65% of those questioned saying they would be hesitant to attend the fair this year. In addition to concerns about the safety of fairgoers, staff and vendors, Troxler said it was clear that a fair this year would not be well-attended and would not be profitable.

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