Mid-South Fair canceled due to coronavirus

Fair officials Wednesday morning announced that the Mid-South Fair has been canceled for this year at the Landers Center in Southaven. It had been hoped the fair, earlier postponed to start Oct. 23, could still be held, but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, those hopes have been erased. 

“The safety of our guests and employees is and always will be our top priority,” the statement from Landers Center Executive Director Todd Mastry and Fair President Debra Pace Branam read. “The Mid-South Fair has a long-standing tradition of being family-friendly and community-oriented. Our decision is based on our commitment to both of those aspects.”

A visit to the Mid-South Fair website showed the countdown is now pointing to the start of the fair on Sept. 23, 2021, to run through Oct. 3, 2021.   

“Our team looks forward to hosting the 2021 Mid-South Fair next fall at the Landers Center in Southaven,” the statement said. “It is our goal to make it the best one yet.”

The history of the fair dates back to 1856, two years after the start of the Shelby County Agricultural Society.  It was initially called the Shelby County Fair but took on the Mid-South Fair name for the first time in 1929.  

It is not the first time the event has been canceled. During World War II, the fair was not held in 1942-1947 as the fairgrounds were used as camp locations. 

The fair moved to the Landers Center in Southaven in 2009 and has been held there since then, using the parking lot, convention center space, and the arena for its activities.  

(Contact desotocountynews@gmail.com)