LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 56th annual National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS), the nation’s largest indoor farm show, has been postponed until March 31-April 3. It was originally scheduled for the second week of February.

The 53rd annual Championship Tractor Pull will also move to the new dates.

Kentucky Venues, operator of the Kentucky Exposition Center and of the show, made the announcement last week to give plenty of notice to guests, exhibitors and hotels, said David S. Beck, president and CEO of the agency.

The later dates will hopefully allow for a safe show during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. “These are our target dates,” Beck explained. “We won’t let the event put our guests and exhibitors at risk. This event is important to the agriculture industry and is important to farmers and producers. Even prior to COVID, it was important to have the perfect environment for guests, exhibitors and sponsors. We don’t take this lightly. This event takes months and months of planning. We want to make a decision that’s right for all the different parties.”

The show has always been free and will remain so, Beck said. Pre-registration will be required for every attendee and visitors must select a day to attend. Capacity will be capped to allow for 36 square feet of space per person at any given time. Face coverings will be required for everyone in attendance and increased hand sanitizing and handwashing stations will be available.

“With registration, we’ll have a better feel for our numbers,” he noted. “We want to be able to monitor this. There will be people who come regardless and others who will be hesitant. I respect that. Our goal is to have the show.”

Normally, about 300,000 people attend the four-day event, Beck said. The exposition center has 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space.

“These events are important to me as an ag person,” he stated. “The first time I attended the NFMS I was in middle school. There’s such a rich tradition here.”

NFMS normally draws several hundred exhibitors. The vendors he’s spoken with haven’t indicated they won’t be attending.

Kentucky Venues operates the exposition center and the Kentucky International Convention Center. Together, they host 300-330 events annually, Beck said.

NFMS parking is $10 per vehicle or $20 for a bus. Officials hope to have a link for pre-registration available by the end of the holidays or around the first of the year, he said. For more information, visit www.farmmachineryshow.org.