Courtesy Photo Alexandra Koss, 7, rides her horse, Blossom, at the horse arena at the Alpena County Fairgrounds in this 2019 News archive photo.

ALPENA — Another large-scale event scheduled for this summer in Alpena has been canceled.

Today, the Alpena County Fair Board announced the 2020 Alpena County Fair will not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility that large gatherings will be banned in the state.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today that many businesses in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, including Northeast Michigan, can reopen if certain safety protocols are followed, such as maintaining six feet of separation between strangers. Still, with the future unknown and a vaccine at least months away, organizers of many events, including the Nautical Festival in Rogers City, the Posen Potato Festival, the Alpena Blues Festival, and the Michigan Brown Trout Festival have either canceled or significantly scaled back their planned events.

In a press release, the Fair Board said it is disappointed the fair will not take place this summer, but is moving on and already setting its sights on the 2021 event.

“After several weeks of exploring various scenarios to accommodate the health and wellbeing of our community members and partners, we have decided to stop our planning efforts for the 2020 year,” the release said. “With the continued unknown effects of the COVID-19 virus we are unable to develop a safe plan within the state guidelines. We have already begun planning the 2021 fair, in an effort to continue our 146-year history of providing quality community entertainment.”

As the summer of 2020 continues, the board said it will be offering assistance to the Alpena County 4-H program as they continue to provide education and guidance to youth.

Michigan State University Extension has been working on a virtual platform for the entire state to utilize. Alpena 4-H Youth will showcase their animal projects and market live stock on a virtual venue in late August.

Any questions about the fair or 4-H can be directed to Alpenafairboard@gmail.com or call board Secretary Tim Slosser at 989-884-3433 or board Vice President Courtney Krentz at 989-255-8601.