KAYSVILLE—The Davis County Fair has been a staple in the community for many years delighting children with baby animals, pony rides and dog shows. Last year the fair was canceled due to COVID and will not be held again this year. Instead, the county, in partnership with the Utah State University Botanical Center, has announced the new Davis Heritage Festival to be held in 2022 that will replace the fair.

The family-friendly event celebrating the heritage of Davis County will be hosted by the USU Botanical Center and held annually in the spring to coincide with Baby Animal Days and is scheduled for May 19-21, 2022.

“The purpose of this change is to focus on agriculture, give community members and local businesses a chance to share their creative endeavors through locally made or grown projects and to celebrate the heritage of Davis County,” Davis County Commissioner Randy Elliott said in a statement. “In addition, it will honor the past, promote the strong future ahead and more accurately reflect what has built the Davis County community.”

Utah State University Extension professor and director of the USU Botanical Center, Jerry Goodspeed said he is excited about the festival.

“There is symmetry between USU Botanical Center’s mission and Davis County’s efforts in promoting and supporting agriculture and local heritage,” said Goodspeed. “We look forward to sharing this wonderful new event with the community. Our new Davis Heritage Festival committee, which includes a Davis County employee as co-chair, is already making plans for the 2022 event.”

The 4-H horse and livestock show will still be held this year as a separate event on Aug. 14 and Aug. 19-21. The county fair horse show starts at 8 a.m. Aug. 14 at the Hooper City Arena and the stock show will be held at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden Aug. 19-21.

“Our goal is to honor what has built the Davis County community and find new ways to improve and prepare for the future,” Elliott said. “This event update and transition of the hosting and planning to the USU Botanical Center will help us accomplish and exceed that goal.”

For more information and updates about the transition visit daviscountyutah.gov or usubotanicalcenter.org.