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 Collins, CEO for the State Fair of West Virginia, cited a recent outbreak of the coronavirus at a church in Greenbrier County as the reason to cancel the fair.

“When we first discussed moving forward with the 2020 State Fair, we knew it was a fluid situation that could change quickly,” 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.

“The initial decision to open the State Fair this year was based on thorough guidelines presented to us by local and state health officials in combination with low COVID-19 numbers in the area,” said Ralph Warren, chairman of the fair board. “We understood the situation has now changed and the board felt it was important to act quickly. It’s difficult to make this decision knowing the financial impact the State Fair has to our state and community.”

Last week, Justice praised the fair board for going forward with the State Fair of West Virginia. Justice said the State Fair is an opportunity to show off West Virginia and state agriculture and encourage students to seek careers in agriculture by showing off their animals.

“Think about those kids and think about this great event and everything,” Justice said on June 11 during his coronavirus briefing with reporters. “It tickles me that the board decided to move forward. I’m sure they’ll do it in a safe manner. It’s a big event for West Virginia…go to the State Fair, it’s a good thing.”

“They raise their show animals and then they show them,” Justice said. “Then, at the event at the State Fair, they sell those animals. It is a fundraising effort for those kids. Many of those kids use those dollars to pay for their college education as they go through.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt said his office will work with 4H groups and FFA chapters to find other ways for animal shows to continue without the fair. The Department of Agriculture also will work with food producers who normally showcase their products at the fair.

“It is disappointing there will be no State Fair of West Virginia this year, but we understand the circumstances that led to the decision the Fair Board made,” Leonhardt said.

(Adams can be contacted at sadams@newsandsentinel.com)