CHARLESTON — A week after Gov. Jim Justice announced the resumption of the State Fair of West Virginia, the board that manages the annual event has reversed itself and canceled it.

In a press release Thursday, the board of directors for the State Fair of West Virginia announced the fair, previously scheduled for Aug. 13 through Aug. 22 in Fairlea in Greenbrier County, is canceled for 2020.

It is the first time the fair has been canceled since World War II. Kelly cited a recent outbreak of the coronavirus at a church in Greenbrier County as the reason to cancel the fair,

Kelly Collins, CEO for the State Fair of West Virginia, said.

“When we first discussed moving forward with the 2020 State Fair, we knew it was a fluid situation that could change quickly,” CEO Kelly Collins states. “Unfortunately, the number of COVID-19 cases surged only hours after our initial announcement. After speaking with local and state health officials as well as community members, it was a hard decision, but the right decision to cancel.”

As many as 33 cases of COVID-19 are linked to the Graystone Baptist Church in Lewisburg, Justice’s hometown. Greenbrier County is one of six counties where small outbreaks are linked to church congregations.

The fair board announced June 11 that the State Fair of West Virginia would continue. The news came shortly after Justice announced fairs and festivals could resume starting July 1. The governor’s office released guidance for fairs and festivals to limit the spread of the coronavirus.