Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo canceled because of COVID-19

KENNEWICK, Wash-Leaders of the Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo have announced this year's event has been canceled due to the affects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"There's no chance to have an event like the Fair by August, especially in Benton County", says BF Fair and Rodeo Executive Director Lori Lancaster. "So, it's just not an available path for us, given where we are in the "Safe Start" program, given the parameters even in Phase 4. So our choice was really made for us by external factors."

Lancaster says it was a difficult decision given all the time and effort put into the event each year, not to mention the blow to the local economy.

"We have an economic impact study fresh from 2019 that shows an $18.5M output in Benton County alone", Lancaster notes. "The job creation, all these things, all the service groups and the non-profits and the churches who use the Fair as their main fundraising source for the year...it's devastating."

The hope is to move all the live entertainment to August of 2021 and move ticket-holders over to next year.

More details about wristband refunds and F.F.A. livestock entries will be made in the coming days and weeks.