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With restrictions, Delaware State Fair goes on

Annual rite of summer feels effects of COVID-19 state of emergency
The lights of the Midway come on as the sun sets on another day at Delaware State Fair in Harrington. The fair runs through Saturday, Aug. 1. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
July 30, 2020

Because of the COVID-19 state of emergency, this year’s scaled-down Delaware State Fair will be remembered as one without concerts, the nightly parade, food from The Grange and Delaware Farm Bureau, and fewer animals, exhibitors and competitions.

No Dierks Bentley, no Roots and Boots Tour and no Jim Gaffigan. However, this year’s fair still offers a wide variety of food vendors, activities, displays and entertainment, including a circus, daily entertainers, racing pigs and disc-catching dogs.

People attending the fair are required to wear a face covering when they can’t maintain social distancing. Hand-washing and sanitizing stations are located throughout the fairgrounds. Cleaning crews are on hand to sanitize areas where people gather.

The fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 1, in Harrington. Go to www.delawarestatefair.com for more information.

Fair-goers are greeted with the sign of the times listing restrictions due to COVID-19.
Riders catch the sunset as they spin around on the Vertigo.
Galaxy Girl, a lab mix, leaps into the air to catch a disc thrown by Lawrence Frederick during the Disc-Connected K9s show. Galaxy Girl is a three-time world championship finalist, taking second place in 2019.
Only at the Delaware State Fair can you catch a glimpse of a high-riding Elvis impersonator.
Vocal Trash performs several times each day. The band has had more than 125 events canceled this year so far.
A carnival worker wears a face shield as he mans a game on the Midway.
To beat the heat, this pig stretches out as far as possible.
A family sits under the shade in the free entertainment area near the grandstand.
This mom takes a break from a busy day at the state fair.
Signs remind fair-goers to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Harvey Hog reminds people to wash their hands after visiting animal exhibits.
The crowd is slim during the heat of the day July 27. As night approached, attendance rose as fair-goers came to get on the rides.
The setting sun provides a golden glow for the Midway’s Giant Ferris Wheel.
Sanitizing stations are located throughout the fairgrounds.
Powers Great American Midways provides signs to let people know the steps staff are taking to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions.
Strolling the main route at the Delaware State Fair is an annual summer ritual.
The Midway rides are open daily starting at 1 p.m.
The Giant Ferris Wheel provides a landmark for the state fair.
Jodie Frederick prepares to throw a disc for Rocking Romeo to catch during the Disc-Connected K9s show.
Rocking Romeo goes high over Jodie Frederick to catch a disc.
Galaxy Girl makes close contact with her trainer Lawrence Frederick during the Disc-Connected K9s Show.
High-flying Galaxy Girl is among the top disc-catching dogs in the country.
Ainsley West takes top honors in the hat-decorating competition, just one of dozens of contests each year.
A knitted Pikachu, done by Brianna Wichert, stands above the rest in the competition area.
Quilts have been a fair tradition for years. The annual competition attracts some of the best quilt makers in the state.
This year, mask makers from all over Delaware are being honored for their volunteer efforts.
Ron Wieber takes the Judges’ Award for his first-responder lamp made of recycled glass.
Competition in arts and crafts and produce in the Dover Building still attracts a wide variety of adult and youth entries.
You can get up close and personal with a mini-T-Rex at Prehistoric Dinosaur Adventures.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control staff brought in sand to exhibit a professional sand sculpture.
The Midway is open for business at the fair.
Near twilight, the numerous Midway rides begin to light up.
A ghoulish figure welcomes those brave enough to enter the Haunted House.
Take the Shot basketball hoop shoot is one of the most popular Midway games.

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