WEST FARGO, N.D. — While other farm shows across the country have been canceled due to coronavirus prevention efforts, the Red River Valley Fair Association and Big Iron Farm Show Committee have announced that the 40 th anniversary of the Big Iron Farm Show is still set to be held in September.
Big Iron is scheduled for Sept. 15-17 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo.
"We have been working with the Cass County Public Health Department and the North Dakota Department of Health to ensure that the health and safety of everyone involved in the Big Iron Farm Show is of the highest priority," Red River Valley Fair General Manager Cody Cashman said in a statement. "We have guidelines in place to have the Farm Show be the safest it can be given our current state with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting us."
Cashman said the event will follow "North Dakota Smart Restart guidelines," including spacing exhibitors out more, utilizing all of the fairgrounds' 350 acres. They also are asking attendees and exhibitors to "be respectful."
"We want people to use common sense when attending the Big Iron Farm Show if you don’t feel well please do not attend," Cashman said. "We are having the 2020 Big Iron Farm Show because it is essential to North Dakota farming and our farming economy."
ADVERTISEMENT
North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring cheered the news.
"As an essential and critical industry, and part of national security, it is important that farmers stay informed about new technology, equipment and practices that create efficiencies in effective food production,” Goehring said in a statement. “The Big Iron event is one of the larger outdoor events in the region and will offer farmers a wonderful opportunity to sharpen their skills and knowledge.”
Big Iron is a free event and in 2019 featured a full-capacity of 600 exhibitors. Already, John Deere and several of its local dealerships have pulled out of the 2020 event.
