The Maricopa County Fair opens at the state fairgrounds on Friday, featuring the usual complement of fried foods, scary rides and Skeeball.
But this year, a couple of popular attractions will be missing.
Karen Searle, director of the Maricopa County Fair, confirmed earlier this week that the fair is skipping both the petting zoo and pony rides this time around.
Out of an “abundance of caution” and because of public concern, there will be plenty of livestock exhibits and displays this year — but no “direct public animal contact,” according to Searle.
Along with handwashing stations, fair officials are putting up barriers around animal exhibits and posting signs asking patrons to refrain from touching any animals.
The Maricopa County Fair runs from April 3-12.
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