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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – For the first time since World War II, the Lake County Fair has been canceled, another local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lake County Fair Board of Directors, also known as the board of the 49th District Agricultural Association, took the unanimous vote to cancel this year’s event at its Monday meeting, according to Fair Chief Executive Officer Sheli Wright.
The fair was set to take place Sept. 3 to 6. It is held annually over the Labor Day weekend.
Drawing an average of 40,000 visitors each year, Wright estimated the fair to be Lake County’s largest event.
Lake County’s fair now joins more than 40 fair events of about 70 across the state that have announced their cancellation or postponement so far this year.
Fair Board President Tom Turner called the cancellation of the fair “a difficult decision.”
“While we were hopeful that we would be able to move forward with the 2020 Lake County Fair, based on the information we have received from the Department of Public Health, California Department of Food and Agriculture and our local Public Health officer, our fair board was compelled to make the decision to cancel the fair,” Turner said.
Wright said some people posting in response to the Lake County Fair’s cancelation decision on Facebook were upset, but she explained that local and state officials said no mass gatherings would be allowed by September.
There had been concerns since the end of April that the fair would not be able to go forward due to restrictions on large events.
At the Board of Supervisors’ April 28 meeting, Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said that no large gatherings were likely to be allowed through the end of the year, and at that time he recommended the cancellation of the fair.
Steve Lyle, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s director of Public Affairs, told Lake County News that “fairs are asked to work with local officials when making a determination about whether to hold their fair this year.”
Working on alternatives
Wright, who grew up showing animals at the fair, started as the Lake County Fair’s CEO in mid-March, as the pandemic’s shelter in place was getting underway.
At around the time Wright came on board, county and state officials had been in talks about locating a quarantine and recovery site for COVID-19 patients at the Lake County Fairgrounds, a process which was supported by the governor’s state of emergency declaration, as Lake County News has reported. However, county officials later scrapped that plan.
Following Pace’s April announcement, Wright and the fair board continued to try to find alternatives while waiting for more guidance from the state, as the 49th District Agricultural Association is a state agency.
Wright said she was in consultation with Pace about the fair and began working early on with the Junior Livestock Committee to find an alternative for 4-H and Future Farmers of America members who have raised animals for sale at this year’s event.
Because the Lake County Fair falls later in the year, Wright said it gave the fair board an opportunity to see what the state would do and to follow the plans of other fairs.
However, with fairs and events like the California State Fair and the Grand Nationals at the Cow Palace being called off for the year, the odds for the Lake County Fair’s annual appearance appeared increasingly diminished.
Wright said she was concerned not just for the impacts on the local economy but for the companies built around fairs, like those that provide amusements and carnival services.
“Fairs are big business,” she said.
Fair officials said they considered ongoing guidance and information from state and county public health and government officials on the status of the coronavirus pandemic and the improbability that mass gatherings, like the Lake County Fair, could safely and responsibly take place.
Ultimately, as governor-appointed representatives, the fair board said in a statement that it has a responsibility to provide a safe experience to the community-at-large, the people who depend on county fairs for their livelihood, fairgoers and Lake County Fair staff.
“The fair is truly a labor of love that our board of directors, staff, vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, community members and volunteers spend many months of planning to make the fair a success,” the board statement said.
Other events at the fairgrounds – such as the Lake County Rodeo, which had been set for early July – also have been canceled.
So far, the Lakeport Speedway hasn’t been able to resume races, although Pace allowed the Northern California Racing Association to do “test and tune” practice sessions – without spectators – at the Lakeport Speedway on May 23 and 24.
Concerned about long-term impacts
Officials like Wright and Richard Persons, a former Lake County Fair CEO who now manages the Santa Maria Fairpark, have raised concerns about the pandemic’s long-term impact on the fair and outdoor event industries, with many experienced fair executives retiring and leaving doubt as to who will lead those sectors as they return and reopen.
Santa Maria announced June 2 that it also is canceling its fair this year, which like Lake County’s hasn’t had an interruption since World War II.
While the Lake County Fair is holding its own financially, Wright told Lake County News that with many fairs across the state now in the red, the impacts of the pandemic and its shutdown could spell “the end of an era.”
A number of fairs across the state are reporting on their websites that they are facing insolvency and bankruptcy, and are asking for the help of their communities in appealing to the California Legislature for emergency funding.
Meanwhile, Wright is continuing to work with the Junior Livestock Committee on an online auction format and said she feels fortunate to have such a dedicated group of livestock people to help plan this year’s out-of-the-ordinary auction event.
She said to watch for updates in coming weeks on how the community can help support youth in their market livestock projects.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Dr. Gary Pace told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the sectors would reopen on Friday, the first day of eligibility, based on guidance from the state given on June 5.
The reopening or expanding sectors are:
– Childcare services (updated, expanded).
– Schools (interim guidance).
– Day camps.
– Casinos operated by sovereign tribal nations.
– Music, film and television production.
– Professional sports without live audiences.
– Campgrounds, RV parks and outdoor recreation.
– Hotels and vacation rentals (e.g. VRBO, Airbnb).
– Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks.
– Family entertainment centers.
– Restaurants, bars and wineries.
– Fitness facilities.
– Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums.
The California Department of Public Health’s guidelines can be found here.
“Opening or expanding 13 sectors at once represents a considerable, non-incremental, step forward, and will increase the probability of spread, including community transmission, of COVID-19 in Lake County,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.
However, Pace added, “It is the right decision at this time,” noting that Tuesday was the 83rd day Lake County residents have been subject to shelter-in-place and statewide stay at home orders.
“Effects of the actions of the past three months on our communities and businesses have been widespread and severe, and most of those consequences have been economic, as opposed to directly health-related. We have had 30 total cases, and spread has not, to date, occurred at such a rate that it has stressed our local healthcare system,” Pace said.
He said viral activity has remained stable in Lake County’s communities, even as the county has reopened Clear Lake and some industries that support tourism, such as restaurants.
Pace said in recent weeks he’s “continually undertaken substantial review of the status of COVID-19 in our communities,” and has had discussions with stakeholders including the Lake County COVID-19 Recovery Workgroup, a collective that includes two members of the Board of Supervisors and executive leadership from the county and cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.
He said there’s agreement that “now is the time for a big step forward.”
The July 4 holiday typically sees a major influx of visitors to Lake County to use Clear Lake. “Businesses in all sectors continue to adjust to social distancing and other precautions, and offering a reasonable period of time for businesses in the newly-eligible industries to open and adapt prior to that holiday weekend makes sense,” Pace said.
There are industries that remain closed statewide, including e nail salons, massage therapists, estheticians and tattoo parlors. “Provided COVID-19 activity remains stable, we hope to facilitate those businesses safely reopening as soon as possible, as well. While no timeline has been provided by the State, things seem to be accelerating,” Pace said.
“Precautions only become more important as more activities are permitted. Handwashing will help keep businesses open. Social distancing and face coverings will allow us to move about more freely. For preventive measures to be effective, people must practice them, and encourage others to do so,” Pace said.
He said all reopening businesses in Lake County must take precautions, and complete and post social distancing protocol and business certification forms. COVID-19 reopening plans must also be made available to customers or public officials, on request.
Forms and resources for Lake County businesses are available here.
Sector-specific reopening guidance can be found here.
If you review this information and still have questions, reach out to the Lake County Health Services staff at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – When the Valley Fire ripped through portions of Middletown in 2015, it destroyed one of the largest apartment complexes in Lake County.
The Rodriguez-Barajas family, attending a family baptism that day, received the news about the fire. They attempted to return home but when the police would not allow them through, the family was forced to return to their in-laws home to anxiously await the outcome of the fire.
Then the news came. Everything they had was lost. Maria Rodriguez-Barajas was so upset it affected her third pregnancy and she was admitted to the hospital.
After a 2-week stay with the in-laws, the family found temporary refuge at Konocti Harbor until they were able to relocate to a small, two-bedroom apartment and start their lives again.
But their living quarters were tight, with three children forced to share a single bedroom in an apartment woefully too small for their needs.
Facing a fourth pregnancy and eviction threats because of their overcrowded housing situation, Hector and Maria Rodriguez-Barajas turned to Habitat for Humanity Lake County for help.
Then came the Clayton fire and the family’s application was destroyed with the loss of Habitat’s Lower Lake office.
Unaware of that loss, the family waited to hear if they were approved for the Homeownership program, only to learn, at last, that they would need to begin the application process all over again.
They persevered, resubmitting their application documentation, and working hard to meet the necessary program requirements.
Through other fires, construction issues, complications with their fourth pregnancy, difficult weather and the recent pandemic situation, the family stayed true to their vision of owning their own home.
On June 1, their efforts were finally rewarded with the keys to their new Lower Lake home, where the children no longer have to share a bedroom and the family has room to grow and thrive.
“We have never been happier,” said Maria Rodriguez-Barajas, her gratitude evident in her eyes. “And the kids have never been happier. They now go outside to play every day and I do not have to be scared of being kicked out of my home. We won’t have to worry again. We are so grateful.”
If you or someone you know is interested in the possibility of homeownership, please contact the Habitat for Humanity office at 707-994-1100 for more information or to receive a preapplication.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Thompson will be joined by special guest, Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics for a discussion about the economy and what we need to help working families and get back on track in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the eighth in a series of virtual town halls. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.