MINOT, N.D. - The manager of the North Dakota State Fair says canceling the event for the first time in its nearly half century of official existence is "tough on the heart and tough on the checkbook."

Officials decided over the weekend to cancel this year's fair in Minot because of Souris River flooding. Manager Renae Korslien says officials did everything they could to make the fair a reality but eventually had no choice but to call off the event scheduled later this month. Mayor Curt Zimbelman says the cancelation is sad but necessary.

The fair has been held every year since 1965, when the Legislature decided that Minot would host the official state fair.

Last year's nine-day fair set an attendance record. This year's fair also was poised to set records.