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County postpones Utah County Fair to Aug. 2021; Freedom Festival cancels most events but asks county help for fireworks
Summary
Commissioners voted to postpone the Utah County Fair to August 2021 citing COVID-19 and lost restaurant/hotel tax revenue. America's Freedom Festival cancelled most events for the year but requested county consideration of funding to support a larger July 4 fireworks display.
The Board of Utah County Commissioners voted 3–0 to postpone the Utah County Fair until the regularly scheduled week in August 2021, citing COVID-19 restrictions and a collapse in restaurant and hotel tax revenues used to fund large county events.
"Given some uncertainties about the governor's actions in terms of what will be allowable as mass gatherings... it makes sense to postpone the county fair," a commissioner said during agenda discussion. The board noted that hotel and restaurant tax receipts typically cover convention-center bond payments and cultural event funding and that revenues have fallen sharply this year.
At the same meeting, Jim Evans, executive director of America’s Freedom Festival, told the commissioners the organization canceled most of its events this year but intends to hold a larger-than-normal fireworks show on July 4 that could be seen from broader parts of the county. "We've canceled this year... Postponed until next year. Everything except the fireworks show," Evans said, and asked the county to consider contributing toward a display. He estimated total fireworks costs in the $125,000–$150,000 range and suggested that a county contribution of roughly $25,000 combined with private sponsor funds could make a scaled-up display possible.
Commissioners and staff discussed whether the Tourism, Recreation, Culture and Convention (TRCC) fund could be used to support the fireworks and stressed that any use of those funds must meet tagging and promotion requirements tied to tourism. One commissioner advised caution on using TRCC dollars without careful documentation because such spending could be subject to audit and might need to come from another fund.
The board voted to strike the existing contract item with America’s Freedom Festival from the agenda so staff can submit a revised proposal that aligns the contract language and funding source with county rules; that motion passed 3–0.
