Concert, Jamboree, and Car Show canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions

One by one, events in Phillips County and around the country keep disappearing from the 2020 calendar and three more added to that list for this summer recently; Easton Corbin mainstage concert at the 105th Phillips County Fair in Dodson, The First State bank of Malta Car Show, and the Annual Milk River Gospel Jamboree have all been canceled.

The Phillips County Fair Board was excited to bring Country Music's Easton Corbin to the mainstage, Friday night concert, but unfortunately Corbin has to cancel all his summer shows due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Phillips County Fair Board Member Eric Wilke told the PCN that though the concert is canceled, the 105th Phillips County Fair, which will retain the bragging honors of the longest contiguous fair in the state of Montana. Wilke said that the Fair Board isn’t exactly sure what the entertainment will look like for the Fair Week (July 30-through August 2). “The board is still working hard to provide entertainment during the Phillips County Fair and stay within the county guidelines as pertains to Covid-19,” he said. “Please stay tuned for further announcements and details as they become available.” You can keep up to date with the Phillips County Fair at their website: phillipscountyfair.com.

Shortly after the concert cancelation was announced, the First State Bank Car Show of Malta was cancelled this year after being postponed at the beginning of June.

“I kept thinking if the fair can have a concert, we can have a car show,” Terry Skones, First State Bank Vice President and Car Show organizer said. “But when that was canceled, it was the last straw.”

Skones said that with non-essential travel from Canada not being allowed, and with as many people from north of the boarder cunable ome to town for the car show and drag races, the timing just wasn’t right.

The non-essential travel to and from Canada also played a part in the decision. We value the many Canadian racers that travel down and support not only the car show but the track and our city! We have never cancelled a show before and hopefully will never have to again,” she said. “The main concern is the health of our community. We will be back in 2021.”

The Milk River Gospel Jamboree was set to take place at Malta High School the last weekend of June, but that event has also been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Organizers of the event – which bring gospel acts from across the country and Canada to Phillips County – are hoping to host a smaller venue later in the summer and will keep the PCN posted when those events unfold.