Enchantment State News

Republicans in the State House are asking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to find a way to keep county fairs in the state operational if even in modified form.

“I strongly urge the governor to reconsider how these public health orders are affecting our western way of life, county fairs are essential to our children’s upbringing and encourage them to value New Mexico agriculture,” House Republican Caucus Chair Candy Ezzell (Roswell) was quoted on the party’s website at nmhousegop.com. “Over 2,000 people signed onto this effort, but that is a drop in the bucket in terms of how many New Mexicans are touched by our state’s agricultural heritage.”

County fairs all across the country are closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 26, Grishman ordered the closing of the 2020 New Mexico State Fair.

Ezzell said uncertainty continues because of coronavirus restrictions and that fairs are a vital part of New Mexico’s agricultural economy as well as a multi-generational and family-bonding experience for residents.

In a letter signed by 2,000 residents as well as Republican legislators, Ezell asked Grisham and her staff if a plan could be developed for county fairs in the state to take place by modifying existing public health orders while observing guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“This decision to allow our county fairs to operate will send a strong signal the hard work and dedication our young people have put into their livestock and other projects are still an essential part of their upbringing,” Ezzell said in the letter.