Tractor, Truck Pulls, Demo Derby Now Scheduled For October 2-4

By MARK EVANS

STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD

Three of the most popular – and certainly the most profitable – events of the Ste. Genevieve County Fair may be taking place after all, this year.

Unless something unforeseen happens – like a huge spike in COVID-19 cases in the county – county fair board president Keith Skaggs and the fair board intend to hold events October 2-4 at the fairgrounds.

That Friday night a truck pull will be held. On Saturday, the Demolition Derby, including the Power Wheel Derby for children, will be held. Finally, during the day Sunday, the antique tractor pulls will take place.

Skaggs informed the Ste. Genevieve County Commission on July 13 of the decision. The fair board canceled the county fair, scheduled for July 9-12, earlier this summer, due to concerns about the pandemic and liability, as well as financial issues.

Skaggs, though, had never given up on the most popular of the fair events.

“We decided to go ahead,” Skaggs said of the October dates. “We figured October will be cooler. We’re hoping everything will be calmed down a little bit [with the virus].”

Skaggs and the fair board had been very reluctant to cancel the fair, but finally voted 6-1 on May 20 to cancel. A big part of the decision was concern that  fear of the virus would keep attendance down and turn it into a money-losing proposition.