The Iowa State Fair board of directors has decided to cancel the 2020 edition of the fair, the first time since World War II.

The fair was scheduled for August 13 through 23. Organizers decided that holding the fair this year would not be feasible due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.

“The decision was complex and considered a wide array of factors. The Iowa State Fair’s top priority is protecting the health and safety of Fairgoers, staff, volunteers, exhibitors and entertainers,” Gary Slater, CEO and manager of the fair, said, in a statement. “Amid the pandemic, we couldn’t, in good conscience, put on the Fair when we knew access to emergency safety services at the Fair could be limited, public transportation to and from the Fair would not be possible, the constant sanitization of a seemingly infinite amount of high touch surfaces lacked feasibility and social distancing in lines to get your favorite Fair food or walking the Grand Concourse would be difficult.”

The board agreed to cancel the major event by a vote of 11-2.