Pandemic nixes Mountain State Art & Craft Fair

RIPLEY — The 2020 Mountain State Art & Craft Fair in July has been canceled because of the pandemic, organizers said on Wednesday.

The 58th edition of the arts and crafts show, considered the granddaddy of shows in West Virginia, is held over the July 4 holidays. The show will be held July 1-4, 2021 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley.

Postponement of this year's fair was deemed necessary due to concerns about the coronavirus involving large gatherings, according to board President Jean Smith. The decision was made with the safety of participants and guests in mind, Smith said.

"Our Board sincerely believes postponing until 2021 is the right decision for the safety of everyone involved," Smith said. "We've already started discussions about the 2021 Fair."

More than 20 volunteers serving on the Fair's Board of Directors came to that conclusion after reaching out to more than 50 participating artisans and exhibitors, Smith said.

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