The Iowa State Fair has been postponed for the first time since World War II

By Scottie Andrew and Jennifer Henderson, CNN
Updated 10:50 AM EDT, Thu June 11, 2020
DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 13: Democratic presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg drinks a root beer float while talking with journalists as he walks through the Iowa State Fair August 13, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. Twenty-two of the 23 politicians seeking the Democratic Party presidential nomination visited the fair this week, six months ahead of the all-important Iowa caucuses (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ranch girl, Caucus-chella and Klomentum: This is campaigning in Iowa
06:26 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

There will be no butter cows, outlandish fried foods on sticks or eager-to-please politicians in Des Moines, Iowa, this August.

The renowned Iowa State Fair, a campaign must-stop for presidential hopefuls, won’t go on this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, its organizers announced. It’ll be the first summer in 75 years without a fair.

“We are heartbroken we can’t be together this August. We tirelessly analyzed all the unique traditions at the Iowa State Fair and believe it will be safer given the current COVID-19 situation,” the Iowa State Fair website reads.

DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 08: Fair-goers walk past the food venders lining Grand Avenue at the Iowa State Fair August 08, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. 22 of the 23 politicians seeking the Democratic Party presidential nomination will be visiting the fair this week, six months ahead of the all-important Iowa caucuses. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 08: Fair-goers walk past the food venders lining Grand Avenue at the Iowa State Fair August 08, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. 22 of the 23 politicians seeking the Democratic Party presidential nomination will be visiting the fair this week, six months ahead of the all-important Iowa caucuses. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

2020 Democrats campaign at the Iowa State Fair

The fair will resume in 2021, from August 12 to 22. The fair’s organizers said they prefer the term “postponed” to “canceled” – the latter is “so final,” they said.

The fair joins other highly anticipated events – Comic-Con, the Coachella festival and the Tokyo Olympics – that have all been postponed due to the virus, which is surging again in at least 19 states. At least 2 million people in the US have been infected.

The Iowa State Fair is one of the best-known informal arenas in politics, located smack dab in the American heartland.

It’s tradition for candidates vying for their party’s nomination to swing by the fair and try to charm voters months ahead of the Iowa caucuses. They get a turn on the soapbox, a microphone and 20 minutes to speak to fairgoers (who, on occasion, heckle them). At the fair, they roll up their sleeves and chow down on foods they didn’t know could be fried.

Democratic presidential candidates John Hickenlooper and Kirsten Gillibrand flip pork chops at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 10. Iowa is the top pork-producing state in the United States.
Democratic presidential candidates John Hickenlooper and Kirsten Gillibrand flip pork chops at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 10. Iowa is the top pork-producing state in the United States.
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US Sen. Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, walk through the fairgrounds on Saturday. Most of the Democratic field visited the fair over the weekend.
US Sen. Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, walk through the fairgrounds on Saturday. Most of the Democratic field visited the fair over the weekend.
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A fairgoer casts a vote at the kernel voting station.
A fairgoer casts a vote at the kernel voting station.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
It wasn't just Democratic candidates attending the fair this year. Bill Weld, a former Massachusetts governor who is challenging President Trump for the Republican nomination, talks to the media on Sunday.
It wasn't just Democratic candidates attending the fair this year. Bill Weld, a former Massachusetts governor who is challenging President Trump for the Republican nomination, talks to the media on Sunday.
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Dark clouds loom over the Ferris wheel on Sunday.
Dark clouds loom over the Ferris wheel on Sunday.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Fairgoers take shelter under an umbrella during a rainy Sunday.
Fairgoers take shelter under an umbrella during a rainy Sunday.
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A young man poses with cutouts of President Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
A young man poses with cutouts of President Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
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US Sen. Kamala Harris speaks to fairgoers on Saturday. The Des Moines Register gives each candidate a soapbox, a microphone and 20 minutes to address fair attendees.
US Sen. Kamala Harris speaks to fairgoers on Saturday. The Des Moines Register gives each candidate a soapbox, a microphone and 20 minutes to address fair attendees.
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More than 100,000 people attended the fair on Saturday.
More than 100,000 people attended the fair on Saturday.
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US Sen. Elizabeth Warren meets with supporters after her speech on Saturday.
US Sen. Elizabeth Warren meets with supporters after her speech on Saturday.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
A Cory Booker supporter sits in the crowd on Saturday.
A Cory Booker supporter sits in the crowd on Saturday.
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The Iowa State Fair has approximately 500 concession stands and exhibitors.
The Iowa State Fair has approximately 500 concession stands and exhibitors.
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Booker explores the fair on Saturday.
Booker explores the fair on Saturday.
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Men take a rest for some food and lemonade on Saturday.
Men take a rest for some food and lemonade on Saturday.
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Many fairgoers brought books for presidential candidates to sign.
Many fairgoers brought books for presidential candidates to sign.
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People enjoy a large slide at the fair.
People enjoy a large slide at the fair.
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A Slipknot fan shows off his tattoos before a concert at the fair on Saturday.
A Slipknot fan shows off his tattoos before a concert at the fair on Saturday.
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A girl cools off with a snow cone.
A girl cools off with a snow cone.
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A beauty pageant contestant bites her nails.
A beauty pageant contestant bites her nails.
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Since 1911, the Iowa State Fair has had a cow sculpted out of butter. Each year, much of the butter is recycled. It can be reused for up to 10 years.
Since 1911, the Iowa State Fair has had a cow sculpted out of butter. Each year, much of the butter is recycled. It can be reused for up to 10 years.
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Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang eats a corn dog at the fair on Friday. The corn dog is just one of 69 food items <a href="https://www.iowastatefair.org/food/food-on-a-stick/" target="_blank" target="_blank">that you can find on a stick there.</a>
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang eats a corn dog at the fair on Friday. The corn dog is just one of 69 food items that you can find on a stick there.
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The first Iowa State Fair was held in 1854. It moved to its current address in Des Moines in 1886.
The first Iowa State Fair was held in 1854. It moved to its current address in Des Moines in 1886.
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A contestant gets ready for the Iowa Cowgirl Queen Contest. According to the state fair's website, the contestants are judged partly by their Western attire and partly on their horsemanship.
A contestant gets ready for the Iowa Cowgirl Queen Contest. According to the state fair's website, the contestants are judged partly by their Western attire and partly on their horsemanship.
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Presidential candidate Julián Castro, a former mayor of San Antonio who was secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration, talks to fairgoers on Friday.
Presidential candidate Julián Castro, a former mayor of San Antonio who was secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration, talks to fairgoers on Friday.
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A particularly patriotic fairgoer.
A particularly patriotic fairgoer.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
A young woman cleans the dairy barn -- an unglamorous but important job.
A young woman cleans the dairy barn -- an unglamorous but important job.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Former US Rep. John Delaney, a Democratic presidential candidate, was making his third visit to the fair on Friday.
Former US Rep. John Delaney, a Democratic presidential candidate, was making his third visit to the fair on Friday.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
People hold their hands over their hearts as "God Bless America" is played before the Cowgirl Queen Contest.
People hold their hands over their hearts as "God Bless America" is played before the Cowgirl Queen Contest.
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The fair has dozens of carnival games and rides, and there are plenty of toys, too.
The fair has dozens of carnival games and rides, and there are plenty of toys, too.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
A young woman has her hair done for the Cowgirl Queen Contest.
A young woman has her hair done for the Cowgirl Queen Contest.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Castro supporters watch him speak on the soapbox on Friday.
Castro supporters watch him speak on the soapbox on Friday.
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A girl and her cow relax between shows.
A girl and her cow relax between shows.
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Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson addresses fairgoers on Friday.
Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson addresses fairgoers on Friday.
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US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate, orders a veggie corn dog on Friday.
US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate, orders a veggie corn dog on Friday.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Women pose with their drinks at a photo booth.
Women pose with their drinks at a photo booth.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
An average of 1.3 million people attend the Iowa State Fair annually.
An average of 1.3 million people attend the Iowa State Fair annually.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
A young woman rides a horse while carrying the US flag.
A young woman rides a horse while carrying the US flag.
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Pork chops and politics at the Iowa State Fair

But the 11-day fair is well attended by regular folks, too. Last year 1.3 million fairgoers visited the grounds, which houses 500 concession booths that sell 69 different foods available “on-a-stick” style.

The Iowa State Fair features carnival games, at least two pageants (one is traditional with tiaras and gowns; the other is for Iowan cowgirls), livestock shows and a true-to-size cow sculpture made entirely of butter.

Since its founding in 1854, only five Iowa State Fairs have ever been canceled: in 1898, because of the World’s Fair in neighboring Omaha, Nebraska, and from 1942 to 1945, due to World War II, according to the Iowa State Fair website.

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