EDITOR:

On behalf of the Delta County Democratic Party, I want to commend Vickie Micheau, the board and sponsors of the U.P. State Fair for making the difficult but responsible decision on Tuesday to cancel the upcoming 2020 U.P. State Fair.

We all know that hundreds of vendors, service organizations, and businesses rely upon this annual event each summer to bring crowds of people into our area for a week of fun, and hands-on learning as they get an experience of our agricultural roots, local heritage, products, crafts, and arts and services.

Literally, thousands of people from around the Upper Great Lakes area look forward to gathering each summer for the week-long event, planning vacations, preparing exhibits and displays, raising and grooming livestock, pets, and produce, arts and crafts for 4-H and other competitions.

Dozens of service organizations have worked long and hard to prepare displays and demonstrations providing important information for the public regarding health, safety, the environment, recreation, education, commerce, law and politics.

Nevertheless, the immediate health and safety of the more than 100,000 people who work at and were anticipated to attend the fair this August must come first during this time of unprecedented national health crisis.

Make no mistake, the fair this August will be deeply missed.

We can only hope and expect that its absence will make us all eager for its return in 2021, bigger and better than ever.

Our thanks to Vickie Micheau of the Chamber of Commerce and the fair board for making the difficult decision to do the right thing.

Dan Young

Chair

Delta County

Democratic Party