Billings, Montana – The carnival has come in Billings, preparing the ground for MontanaFair 2021. However, as the number of COVID-19 cases rises, MetraPark officials say they’re maintaining certain safety precautions in place while emphasizing personal choice.
According to Ray Massie of MetraPark, this year’s attractions include entertainment for the entire family with live music, a PRCA rodeo, Dig in the Dirt for the kids, and much more.
“Dig it days where we had the big vehicles for kids to play on,” Massie said.
Visitors to the fairgrounds will notice an automatic difference, a new area, this year.
“Thanks to the demolition of the grandstands and barns, we’re really looking forward to letting people see just how big MetraPark really is when they come to Montana,” says Massie.
COVID-19 is a factor that might derail the event, with cases in Yellowstone County increasing as a result of the delta version. With 493 new cases reported on Tuesday, Montana saw a significant increase in cases, with Yellowstone County having the second-highest number of active cases in the state with 85.
Massie says while some pandemic-era precautions will stay in place, they are welcoming guests to wear masks if they feel it will add to their own personal safety, but masks are not required.
“We’ll keep on the sanitation protocols we used during 2020 fair,” he said. “We may not be as heavy as what we did in 2020, but we’re all very aware of the virus being active in the community and we want to make sure people are safe when they come to the fairground.”
He says there’s also a plan for inside First Interstate Arena where major events with crowds of people will take place this year.
“We have upgraded that facility to be able to turn the air even faster. So, the areas that you’re in, will have air moving much more quickly,” he said.
Overall he hopes this year’s fair events will bring back a sense of normalcy.
“After what we’ve been through now for the past 18 months. This is the time we want to come together and enjoy ourselves and have a wonderful time at MontanaFair this year,” he said.
