Mother Lode Fair Cancels Poultry Events Due To Disease Outbreak
Sonora, CA — Out of an abundance of caution, the Mother Lode Fair CEO shares that the board of directors has decided to cancel this summer’s poultry shows at the fair.
In a letter released to the public Monday, Ken Alstott stated that the board received notification from the State Veterinarian regarding poultry shows at 2019 California fairs. “Due to a continuing outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease in the state, all fairs with opening dates prior to July 1 have been advised to cancel their poultry shows — we have made the decision to cancel the 2019 Mother Lode Fair Poultry Show as well,” he wrote.
The communication goes on to read, “Even though the Mother Lode Fair opens after the deadline, our concern is for Public Safety as well as the health of our local commercial poultry flocks. We have made this decision early enough to hopefully allow our poultry exhibitors to join another project of interest; exhibitors are encouraged to contact their 4-H Leaders or FFA Advisors for assistance.”
He added, “The Fair is restructuring our Small Livestock Displays into species-specific classes and are in the process of organizing an Avian Bowl to allow our poultry exhibitors to participate at Fair. On behalf of the Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors, I thank you in advance for your understanding.”
This year’s Mother Lode Fair dates are July 4-7. As we reported over the weekend here, officials for the Calaveras County Fair, which this year runs May 16-19, similarly cancelled its poultry shows this year.
