CANFIELD, Ohio - The Canfield Fair is gearing up to welcome in it's expected 350,000 fairgoers next week. But with COVID-19 cases on the rise, Theory, the band opening for Shinedown, have canceled over coronavirus concerns.

"At least we have a week to hire another group. I'm sorry for them because this was an event that they were planning on and now they won't have any income from it," said George Roman, Director of the Canfield Fair to 21 News. "It's just one of those things. This COVID-19 is so goofy for everybody today. We're just glad it wasn't Shinedown. That would have been a disaster for us."

Other than Theory's change in plans and the fair being short a few vendors, fair officials told 21 News everything is still on as planned.

"It's going to be as close to 2019 as possible," said Ward Campbell, President of the Canfield Fair Board. "We'll have more sanitizing and hand washing stations than we did back then but you're not going to be forced to wear a mask."

As of Thursday, August 26, dozens of people are already preparing to welcome fair-goers back by setting up rides, tents, trailers and several other attractions. 

"We're going to have probably around 400 food vendors," Roman said. "There will be jewelry and there will be t-shirts. You name it. There's something truly for everyone here at the fair."

Animal showings will take place at the new event center, where Canfield Fair guests can enjoy the new venue for the first time.

Campbell told 21 News he's most excited for the junior fair kids to have one last summer memory.

"It'll be great for these kids to have the last big thing before school gets back," Campbell said.

"Everybody we've talked to is super excited and keep saying, 'please don't do anything disastrous," Roman said. 

The Canfield Fair runs from Wednesday, September 1 through Monday, September 6.