Ag Progress Days Canceled In Wake Of Coronavirus Pandemic

Penn State’s 2020 Ag Progress Days exposition, scheduled for Aug. 11-13, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers in the College of Agricultural Sciences announced.

The decision was made to protect the health and safety of event exhibitors, attendees and staff and is consistent with the direction taken by other major Centre County events this summer, such as the Grange Fair, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and Central PA 4th Fest. It also complies with Gov. Tom Wolf's order that prohibits, until further notice, gatherings of more than 250 people, according to Jesse Darlington, Ag Progress Days manager.

“Although many areas of the state and country are beginning to reopen after the onset of COVID-19, the prospect of inviting up to 50,000 people – who come from all over Pennsylvania and even from out of state – was too much of a risk given how easily this virus spreads,” he said. “With the uncertainty of what the situation will look like in August, we don't want to encourage the development of a coronavirus ‘hot spot’ that could lead to further restrictions on businesses and schools here and elsewhere.”

Darlington said that the decision was made now to help commercial exhibitors minimize expenses that they might have incurred in planning to exhibit at the event. He said commercial exhibitors that have paid registration fees will have the option of a full refund or having the fees applied to next year's show, which is scheduled for Aug. 10-12, 2021.

“Our commercial exhibitors largely pay the bills for Ag Progress Days, and we want to support them however we can,” Darlington said. “As an essential, life-supporting industry, agriculture is critical to Pennsylvania's economy and the health and well-being of its citizens.”

He said that event organizers are exploring ways to connect Ag Progress Days vendors and attendees virtually through the event's website, found at http://apd.psu.edu.

Faculty and staff in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension also are looking at providing multimedia content on the website to highlight some of the research, extension programs and demonstrations that would have been featured.

“As part of Pennsylvania's sole land-grant university, we regret that we're losing this opportunity to connect in person with the citizens and businesses that we serve every day,” Darlington said. “But in these extraordinary times, it was a decision that had to be made, and we'll plan to be back again in 2021.”

C-burg Community Days Canceled

The Claysburg Area Community Days event scheduled for August has been cancelled.

The committee has been watching the reports from Harrisburg and anticipating the opening of the state to allow for festivals and large-group events.

The Claysburg Area Community Days has long been an opportunity for the community to gather at the end of summer, visit with friends, relax and enjoy food, games, and crafts provided by area vendors.

Committee members said this year there are too many unknowns and restrictions that would prevent a worry-free, healthy, and fun weekend for all. Members said they want an atmosphere where attendees can participate and have a good time.

Little Miss Pageant

Diana Walter Dively, director of the Claysburg Little Miss Pageant, is developing a plan to continue the pageant this year. Details will be forthcoming. Because there will not be food or drink at the pageant and the number of people attending can be kept within state guidelines, she feels confident that the pageant can be held.

The 2021 Claysburg Area Community Days event is planned for the second weekend in August on the 14th and 15th.

Claysburg Farm Show Canceled

The Board of Directors of the Claysburg Farm Show has cancelled the show for this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This would have been the 90th annual Farm Show.

The different departments include flowers, vegetables, needlework, arts and crafts, baked goods, canned good, antiques and group exhibits.

Every year, residents of Pennsylvania exhibit the best of their farm products. Winners of special baking contests are able to enter their cakes, pie or cookies in the State Fair in January.

Normally, exhibits must to be made within the past year. However, any exhibit which can be held over until next year will be accepted.