The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced that the Junior and Open live shows at the Illinois State Fair will be canceled for 2022 to protect from the highly pathogenic avian influenza.  Doctor Staci Slager with the IDOA says that it will be a virtual competition.

Dr. Slager says it’s just not a safe environment right now. The Department’s emergency rules took effect in April and can remain in effect for 150 days. The rule prohibits the sale or exhibiting of poultry and poultry products such as swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in Illinois. 

The deadline to apply is July 15th.  More details are available at illinoisstatefair.info. For more information on the avian flu, visit the USDA website.