Due to the conronavirus, the 2020 Great Bend Farm, Ranch and Hemp Expo/Tradeshow has been postponed to an as-yet undetermined date, said Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Megan Barfield. The ninth-annual even was scheduled for Wednesday, April. 8, through Friday, April. 10, at the Great Bend Expo Complex west of town. 

Barfield said they are looking at possibly the fall for the show. Perhaps, the covid-19 pandemic will have run its course by then, but nothing is written in stone. 

The decision was made by the chamber Executive Committee when it met at noon Tuesday. Barfield said the committee merely ceded to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order issued Monday afternoon banning public gatherings of 50 or more people for eight weeks, based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease and Control.

The expo is dubbed as the largest farm event in the United States dedicated to promoting agricultural technology with more than 700 Vendors covering 80 acres. It is presented by show owner Darren Dale of Star Enterprises based in Bird City.

Exhibitors were to include numerous displays for farm and ranch equipment, seed and chemicals, agricultural services, irrigation manufacturers, financial providers, commodity organizations, colleges, governmental services, home services, furniture and art galleries, boutiques, hats, boots, and more. There were also several presentations planned.

In addition, Star Expos added hemp components to their shows this year.

In addition to the Great Bend show, Star Expos has the Wichita Falls, Texas, Farm, Ranch and Hemp Expo which concluded last week, and the McCook, Neb., Farm, Ranch and Hemp Expo which is set for Nov. 18-19.

Contact the chamber at 620-792-2401.

Contact the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo office at 866-685-0989, cell 785-426-2092, or by email at dales@greatbendfarmandranchexpo.net.