FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the Kentucky State Fair will be closed to the general public this year and limited to participants of the events. 

“We are one of the only states that’s going to have any fair at all, and to do that, we had to prioritize those events that are at the core of it,” Beshear said. “Hopefully next year, we’ll have the full thing again and people can have those double-fried doughnut burgers, though hopefully (with) exercise before and after.”

The agriculture competitions, horse shows, and 4-H events will still go on as scheduled, but only those participating will be allowed in. More rules can be found on the Kentucky State Fair website.

Kentucky State Fair Board Chairman Steve Wilson said it doesn’t make much sense to have the other public events this year as the pandemic still causes problems for the country and state.

“We had a lot of events planned for the general public— the midway, the concerts, as you know them— but it’s really impossible to enforce social distancing at a free concert at the state fair,” Wilson said. “So we just felt like it was the proper thing to do.”

Beshear said he’s currently in talks with other vendors and entertainment providers to make up for the canceled events.

The fair generates an estimated $15.3 million in economic impact, according to the fair’s website.

Beshear is also extending the state’s mask mandate another 30 days.

The mandate requires Kentuckians to wear a facial covering in most public situations, like in large crowds or other spaces where people aren’t able to socially distance themselves. It was set to expire Aug. 10.

“It’s working,” Beshear said. “And if we want to get some things back open that we had to pause, if we want to continue to grow our economy, this is our way.”

Beshear said he’s also finalizing rules for bars and restaurants to reopen at 50 percent capacity Monday, but those establishments can only serve food or drinks until 10 p.m., and they have to close by 11 p.m.

“We think that this gives us the best opportunity to avoid the mega-spreading events, the super-spreading events, and to encourage what we need to see from folks out there,” Beshear said.

The rules would also require bars to enforce a seat rule prohibiting people from leaving their table unless they’re going to the bathroom.