Clay County Fair sees packed Friday afternoon, expecting large crowds in 11 day stint

Clay, FL. — Leading into the first full weekend of the Clay County Fair, it was extremely busy and packed Friday afternoon.

Safety protocols are in place as they say they’re following CDC guidelines; however masks are not required, but strongly encouraged. There was little social distancing going on as well, most people were unmasked, some attendees Action News Jax spoke with said that made them a little uncomfortable but made the most out of the situation.

“It feels so nice, I was so excited when I found out it was coming back,” Jessica Abbott said.

Action News Jax shows the hundreds of unmasked groups flooding the fairgrounds Friday afternoon.

“I know the risk I take when I leave the house but we can’t keep living in fear,” Melissa Giddings said.

The fair says it’s expecting large crowds in the 11 day stint, hand sanitizing stations have increased.

Local mother Kendi McGowan brought her family out because of Good Friday, she was skeptical at first but knew the kids wanted to get out.

Others, like Lisa Blalock come every single year, she says it’s starting to feel like pre-pandemic life again.

“I’m glad it’s getting back to a sense of normalcy anyway,” she said. “I’m glad we are able to leave our houses finally.”

For McGowan and her family – they’ll continue to play it safe.

“Just make sure we’re doing what we think is right,” she said. “We won’t be mean to them and all but just stay in our areas over our noses and mouth.”

The fair association, Emergency Management, and the Clay County Health Department are also working together to offer walk-up vaccinations until 7 p.m. everyday. In its first day at the vaccine booth, only 41 took advantage of it. On Friday, the most recent update at 4p.m. was 18 vaccines administered.

Cox Media Group