Butler Farm Show canceled
For the first time in 71 years, the Butler Farm Show will not go on this year.
The show's board of directors made the decision Wednesday to cancel the 2020 event due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and the state and federal restrictions that came with it.
“We feel bad about not putting the show on. We know it's a big event for the Butler community, also for the 4-H,” board president Ken Laughlin told the Eagle on Thursday. “It's heartbreaking to not be able to do it.”
The show was scheduled for Aug. 10-15 at its Connoquenessing Township property.
The announcement was widely shared on Facebook. Many comments expressed sadness but understanding about the decision.
“I always look forward to the farm show, but sadly this decision to cancel was a right decision. God bless, stay safe, and till next year (Sad face emoji),” one person commented.
While many comments thanked the board for the decision, others referred to the decision makers as “sheep” and “cowards.”
Laughlin said the board made the decision knowing that some would not agree. He said board members made the best decision they could based on the information and the situation they found themselves in.
“Whatever decision we made, it wasn't going to be popular,” he said. “For the safety of the Butler community and the agricultural community, it wasn't a safe thing for us to do at this time. Safety of everyone is our main goal.”Laughlin said deciding to cancel this year's farm show will have a large financial impact. He said this likely will affect the show's ability to grow its grounds, but the board is financially stable enough to keep up with maintaining what it has.“It's a huge financial impact. That's our moneymaker for the year,” Laughlin said. “Next year we'll have to watch our pennies. We'll survive. We can take the impact, but it'll be a big hit on our finances.”Laughlin said there were two major factors that played into the decision. The first was the restriction by Gov. Tom Wolf that prohibits gatherings of more than 250 people.“Our membership of the farm show (their volunteers) is up over 250 people,” he said. “That's how many people it takes to put that show on.”Adding in vendors and other essential personnel would have put the farm show well over 250 people, before guests even arrived.“We don't want to be a root cause of an outbreak in the county,” he said.
Laughlin said the board also felt it could not adhere to all of the regulations and guidelines set by Wolf's administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said 4-H leaders also expressed it would be difficult to follow the standards set by the parent organization.“They're so strict, you can't meet them,” Laughlin said.Some Facebook commenters asked if there still would be some form of livestock auction in the near future. Some suggested a virtual auction.Laughlin said the board of directors will evaluate options in selling the animals, as well as possible plans for other 4-Hers.“There's a lot more to 4-H than the livestock part of it,” he said. “We want to help all the kids, not just some of them.”Laughlin said a lot of effort and time were put into debating the decision. He said he appreciated their supporters who, like them, are looking forward to having the 72nd Butler County Farm Show.“We want to do our best for the community and represent it well,” Laughlin said.
