Show prep

The Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show kicks off Wednesday. As with all events that have been held since March, it will look different this year.

Tri-State president Chris Englehardt provided an update Friday on what the rules and precautions will be for this year’s show that is being held during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Show organizers are requiring that masks be worn in all buildings, which will each have a single entrance point and a single exit point. (The Women’s Building and grandstand will both be locked as they are not being used this year.)

All gate workers will be wearing masks, and masks for attendees will be available for purchase at the gates, the show office and the red barn.

Benches and tables in food courts and other high-traffic areas will be spaced 6 feet apart. The association bought 180 gallons of hand sanitizer and more than 50 dispensers to make it available throughout the grounds, Englehardt said.

Tri-State also bought a pair of misting cleaning devices and will have staff dedicated to using those to sanitize high-contact areas at Jay County Fairgrounds and the Tri-State grounds throughout the show.

Englehardt said the precautions and procedures were put together in consultation with Jay County Health Department. Tri-State has spent about $13,000 on sanitizer, masks and other safety equipment, he added.

“We went above and beyond, we felt,” he said, noting that the misting cleaners are not required.

So far, traffic for the show has been lower than usual, Englehardt said. He estimated the number of campsites that were being used as of noon Friday was down by about a third.

“There’s not as many campers in,” he said. “So we look for the show (attendance) to be down, and we expected that.”

Heath Butz, environmentalist and administrator with the health department, said the advice to help limit the spread of the coronavirus is the same as it has been for months — maintain 6 feet of social distance, wear a mask when social distancing is not possible, wash or sanitize hands frequently and stay home if sick or at high risk of infection.

“It’s stuff we’ve been kind of reiterating over and over again,” he said, “but it’s those same things that are going to get us through this event safely.”

The health department reiterated those precautions Thursday as it released guidance for those who host rummage sales, flea markets or other events related to the Tri-State show. Details are as follows:

•Tables should be set up outside rather than in a garage or enclosed tent and should also be 6 feet apart.

A “one-way” route to walk through the space should be indicated with signs or arrows.

•Masks should be used when 6 feet of social distance is not possible.

•Hands should be washed frequently and hand sanitizer should be made available.

•Vendors should increase frequency of cleaning for high-contact surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, countertops, etc.

•Those who are at a higher risk of infection (such as those who are 65 and older or have conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, COPD and cancer) should consider staying home

•Anyone who is sick should stay home

The health department has also worked with the City of Portland to make signs regarding social distancing, face mask usage and details about symptoms available free of charge. They can be picked up at Portland City Hall, 321 N. Meridian St., or Jay County Health Department, 504 W. Arch St., Portland.

The Tri-State board voted 10-8 in June to move forward with the show this year. It had canceled its May swap meet because of the pandemic.

Portland Mayor John Boggs in a letter two weeks ago urged Tri-State to cancel the show because of the pandemic. Organizers stood by their decision to hold the show, noting the precautions that have been taken in an effort to keep visitors safe.

“We hope anybody that comes out will enjoy the show and see that we’re doing all we can,” said Englehardt. “But if they don’t feel safe, we’d prefer they just wait ’til next year.”