Hang on to those fair tickets — they’re good for 2021 Benton Franklin fair and rodeo

Fairgoers now can get a refund for prepurchased tickets to the Benton Franklin Fair & Horse Heaven Round-Up, after it was canceled for this summer because of the COVID pandemic.

The fair association announced last week that the obstacles and restrictions that have resulted from the coronavirus made it too difficult to move forward with the event held each August in Kennewick. The next fair is Aug. 24-28, 2021.

This year would have been the fair’s 72nd year.

Benton and Franklin counties are among only three counties remaining in Phase 1 of the state’s Safe Start phased reopening plan. Yakima County is the third.

The fair usually attracts nearly 120,000 people over a week, and a 2019 study showed the economic impact of the event was $18.5 million in Benton County alone, Duane Howard, president of the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo board of directors told the Herald earlier this year.

For those who want to roll over tickets to the 2021 fair, no action is needed. All tickets will be honored, including tickets for the fair, round-up, carnival bands and fair bucks, fair officials said.

Students who received a free ticket through their schools will be able to use them at next year’s fair.

For a refund, you can email the fair office at info@bentonfranklinfair.com with the name on the ticket order and the order ID number, the number of tickets, and your phone and mailing address. Refund requests will be taken until June 30, 2021.

Refunds for purchases made with a credit card will be refunded to the card.

Tickets bought with cash or check will be refunded by check. Tickets that were purchased at Ranch & Home will be refunded by check regardless of payment type.

The association still is working on details for rescheduling this year’s Summer Concert Series lineup for next year. More information is expected to be released soon on ticket rollovers or refunds.

For more information, email info@bentonfranklinfair.com