SPRINGFIELD — The Effingham County Fair gates are set to swing open for the first time in two years and Grady Rahn is very happy about it.

The 2020 fair was canceled because of COVID-19.

“Last year, I think at our August meeting, we decided that we couldn’t have it,” Fair Committee Manager Grady Rahn said. “This year, we just said we are going to have a fair and we kept at it.”

The decision to proceed with the 2021 edition, set Oct. 14-23, wasn’t made haphazardly.

“I’ve talked to the (Effingham County) health department,” Rahn said. “They’ve kept me me abreast of what is going on with the (Georgia Department of Public Health) and the number of (COVID-19) cases in Effingham County.”

To enhance safety, there will be hand sanitizer stations at various spots around the fairgrounds and masks will be made available.

“Basically, everything is about the same (other than the COVID-19 precautions),” he said. “We do want to be prepared.”

Rahn said officials from Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, provider of rides for the fair, have seen good crowds at their other stops this year.

“They are based in North Carolina and their tour starts in July,” Rahn said. “They said some people wear masks and some don’t.”

Rahn said news of the fair’s return has been greeted with excitement.

“I’m telling you,” he said. “I can’t go anywhere without people saying, ‘I sure am glad y’all are having the fair.’”

Rahn said the decision drew cheers when it was announced while distributing Effingham County Fair scholarships at Effingham County and South Effingham high schools in May.

“I got a lot of whooping and hollering,” he said.

Rahn expects the 2021 fair to be a success.

“If the weather is good, we will have a good fair,” he said.