It won’t be as it has been for sure.

But the Tennessee State Fair will still be making an appearance this year as it has for more than 150 years, although those participating this year will do so through online competitions and viewing educational videos on Facebook. 

Scott Jones, Tennessee State Fair manager, and Savannah Weaver, the Fair’s sponsorship and marketing manager, say, despite having to cancel this year’s traditional edition of the Fair because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Fair will still have a presence.

According to Weaver, there will still be a number of competitions but not at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

She said the public will be invited to enter competitions online beginning August 3 and continuing through September 20.

A complete listing of the competitions and rules for entries can be found at the Tennessee State Fair website tnstatefair.org.

While the State Fair traditionally has always provided a venue for family fun and entertainment, Jones said the Fair this year is having to redesign its efforts because of the COVID-19 pandemic but even so “there will still be an opportunity for a number of learning experiences for children and adults on a wide variety of subjects ranging from agriculture, to animal care, to cooking and many more through presentations on Facebook.”

Among the topics to be viewed on Facebook and hosted by the State Fair are Gardening, Canning, Butterflies, Car Racing, Cupcake/Cookie Decorating, Small Animals (Rabbits), Bee Keeping and others.

Jones encouraged those interested in the Facebook presentations to visit the State Fair website or call the Tennessee State Fair office at (615) 800-3675.

The move by the Tennessee State Fair Association board to not host the traditional Fair this year marked the first time the State Fair has not been held since being cancelled during World War II.

When making the announcement about this year’s Fair in June, Jones said the State Fair is not “closing its doors or abandoning its long history and tradition. We’re just doing what we believe is in the best interest of the health and well being of those who walk through our gates each year.”