The State Fair of Texas is one of the largest annual events globally, drawing over 2.3 million visitors in 2023 and generating an estimated economic impact of nearly $500 million for North Texas each fall. To ensure the safety of its patrons, vendors and staff, the State Fair of Texas is collaborating with top security experts in the industry.
The fair continually assesses its security plan in collaboration with the Dallas Police Department and other security partners, ensuring that the most current recommended practices for large-scale events are adopted.
Update 8/14/24 12:30 p.m. In response to the State Fair of Texas' recent announcement banning firearms on its grounds, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a warning to the city of Dallas. Paxton's notice demands the city retract the fair's policy, arguing it unlawfully infringes on the Second Amendment rights of licensed gun owners. With Fair Park being a city-owned property, Paxton argues that the State Fair's rule unlawfully restricts licensed carriers and has given the city fifteen days to amend the policy or face legal action.
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Update 9/25/24 12 p.m. A state appeals court rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to temporarily halt the State Fair of Texas’ policy prohibiting all firearms on its fairgrounds, just days before the event begins. This decision follows a similar denial from a Dallas County District Court, where the judge sided with State Fair officials, affirming their right to enforce a gun ban as a private nonprofit organization.
The original story continues below.
This year, the fair is introducing several enhancements to its comprehensive safety and security plan for the 2024 event, which is its largest community program and fundraising initiative. These updates include a new bag policy, redesigned pedestrian entry gates, revised weapons policies and the establishment of a command center to boost security effectiveness.
Bag Policy
Starting in 2024, the State Fair of Texas will implement a policy limiting the size of bags allowed on the fairgrounds to ensure public safety and expedite entry. Exceptions will be made for medical and parenting bags after inspection.
At the fair, permitted bags include those up to 9 inches x 10 inches x 12 inches, medical bags and parenting/childcare bags, which will be inspected at entry. Soft-shell coolers of the same size are allowed but must use ice packs or clear bagged ice. All bags are subject to search. There are no lockers or bag checks, so prohibited items must be returned to vehicles or discarded. Security, staff and volunteers cannot hold prohibited items.
Command Center
This year, the state fair established a 24/7 command center as the central hub for operational communications, event oversight and incident management. The center will include representatives from state fair operations and public safety agencies as needed. It will operate around the clock during the fair's 24-day run, led by Rocky Vaz, the recently retired director of the city of Dallas Office of Emergency Management.
Gate Entry
As fairgoers arrive, they will encounter signage detailing the screening process, including prohibited items, the guest code of conduct and the search policy for bags, wagons and coolers. Guests will pass through weapons detection technology monitored by licensed security officers to ensure safe entry. The screening process will be recorded to confirm adherence to best practices. New this year, Texas-themed markers will be placed at key pedestrian entry points to help guests safely navigate back to their cars.
Weapons Policy
The State Fair of Texas prohibits all firearms, knives, clubs, explosive devices, ammunition, chemical dispensers, replicas, hoaxes and other weapons on the fairgrounds, including Cotton Bowl Stadium. This applies to all visitors, including those with a license to carry, constitutional carry, concealed carry and open carry. Exceptions are made for current and qualified retired peace officers, whose credentials will be verified by Dallas Police Department officers during screening. While the fair previously prohibited weapons on the property, it made exceptions for licensed gun owners.
Several guidelines established in 2023, such as the minor policy will return. For more information and the full list of safety guidelines, visit the link here.
This story was originally published by Local Profile on Aug. 12, 2024.
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