By Clint Thompson
The third week in October is normally reserved for “North America’s Premier Farm Show.” But not this year in the era of COVID-19. The Sunbelt Ag Expo suspend plans for the 43rd annual show this year on July 24.
Chip Blalock, Executive Director of the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, reflected on the event’s cancellation and how he looks forward to the Expo returning in 2021.
“As I look out my window right now, there’s nothing on the grounds but empty buildings. It is very sad that the world is not coming to Moultrie this week. We’re not celebrating agriculture and talking about the latest technology and crowning another Farmer of the Year, giving away the Southeastern Hay Contest prizes, conducting all the demonstrations and seminars that we do with our great exhibitors,” Blalock said. “It is kind of sad to look out, but it’s just the world we live in, in 2020. We’re going to get through it and make it through the other side and be back bigger and better than ever in 2021.”
Next year’s Expo is slated for Oct. 19-21. Hopefully, it’ll attract its biggest crowd yet with spectators returning with a greater appreciation for the show.
“Everybody looks forward to the third week in October, coming to Sunbelt and seeing their friends that they haven’t seen, sometimes in a year. That’s not happening this year,” Blalock said. “I just can’t emphasize how sad it is that we’re not having the Expo. The region’s not experiencing the economic impact of the Expo. But again, that’s just the time we’re living in right now.”