State Fair of Texas Announces Safety and Security Measures for 2024

By STATE FAIR OF TEXAS | August 8, 2024

The State Fair of Texas is one of the largest annual events in the world – attracting more than 2.3 million people in 2023 and bringing an estimated economic impact of nearly $500 million dollars to North Texas every fall. The State Fair of Texas engages leading security experts in the industry to ensure the safety of our patrons, vendors, and staff. We are constantly evaluating our security plan with the Dallas Police Department (DPD) and the Fair’s other security partners to adopt the most up-to-date recommended security practices for special events of our size and regularly implement additional measures to increase our effectiveness. As a private not-for-profit organization, the State Fair is introducing several additions to the comprehensive safety and security plan for our largest community program and fundraising event – the 2024 State Fair of Texas – including a new bag policy, redesigned pedestrian entry gates, updates to the weapons policy, a State Fair Command Center, and more.

NEW, ENHANCED, AND RETURNING SECURITY PROTOCOLS FOR THE 2024 STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

NEW:

• BAG POLICY
  • To continue providing a safe environment for the public and help expedite fairgoers’ entry into the fairgrounds, starting in 2024, the State Fair is implementing A POLICY THAT LIMITS THE SIZE OF BAGS that may be brought into the State Fair. Exceptions to this policy will be made for medical bags and parenting bags after proper inspection. Before attending the Fair, fairgoers are encouraged to visit BigTex.com for additional specific guidelines.
  • Approved Bags – The following bags are permitted:
    • Bags and soft-shell coolers that are 9 inches x 10 inches x 12 inches (9” x 10” x 12”) or smaller are allowed.
    • Medical bags and parenting/childcare bags are allowed.
      • These medical and parenting/childcare bags do not have to be 9” x 10” x 12” or smaller but will be searched at all entry gates.
      • Medical bags containing medically necessary items, including but not limited to insulin, medication, portable oxygen, small soft pack coolers, and breast pumps.
    • Soft-Shell Coolers that are 9 inches x 10 inches x 12 inches or smaller are allowed.
      • Coolers must use ice packs or clear bagged ice. Loose ice is no longer allowed, to aid in more efficient search of coolers by security.
    • All permitted bags are subject to search.
    • There are no lockers or bag checks at the State Fair. Guests with a prohibited bag or item must return it to their vehicle or discard it properly. Prohibited items can NOT be held by security, staff, or volunteers.
• STATE FAIR COMMAND CENTER
  • New this year, the State Fair of Texas has invested in a 24/7 State Fair Command Center which will serve as a central hub for operational communications and where event oversight, incident notification, tracking, and resolution will occur. The Center will have in-person representation from State Fair operations, public safety and allied agencies depending on the level of activation. State Fair Command will be operational 24 hours a day for the 24-day run of State Fair and will be led by the recently retired director of the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management, Rocky Vaz.
• REDESIGNED PEDESTRIAN GATE ENTRY LAYOUT
  • As fairgoers arrive, they will see signage advising them on what to expect when they are screened. This includes information about prohibited items, our guest code of conduct, and that all bags/wagons/coolers are subject to search. Guests will be channeled through weapons detection technology, which screens for dangerous weapons in the presence of a licensed and trained security officer. This redesign is to ensure safe entry for all guests in alignment with the Fair’s safety protocols. In addition, the security screening process will be recorded to confirm that security personnel follow best practices.
  • New this year, Texas-themed identifiers will be placed at key pedestrian entry points. These identifiers will help guests safely return to their cars after their visit.

ENHANCED:

• WEAPONS POLICY
  • As a private not-for-profit organization, the State Fair of Texas prohibits fairgoers from carrying all firearms, knives that are prohibited according to state law, clubs, explosive devices, ammunition, chemical dispensing devices, replicas or hoaxes, or other weapons of any kind. This includes Holders of a License to Carry, Constitutional Carry, Concealed Carry, and the Open Carry of firearms anywhere on the fairgrounds including Cotton Bowl Stadium. This policy does not apply to current peace officers or qualified retired peace officers in accordance with state law. Peace officers’ credentials will be verified by Dallas Police Department officers during the screening process.
• GUEST CODE OF CONDUCT.
  • Introduced last year, the Guest Code of Conduct will be posted at each pedestrian entry gate. Guests should read this before purchasing admission tickets and entering the fairgrounds. By entering the fairgrounds, you agree to abide by the Code of Conduct.

RETURNING:

• STATE FAIR SAFETY TEAM
  • As an added layer of safety, the State Fair of Texas introduced the STATE FAIR SAFETY TEAM to the Fair a few years ago. The Safety Team is made up of retired police officers and works closely with the Dallas Police Department to ensure a safe environment during the State Fair. In addition, the State Fair Safety Team serves as State Fair ambassadors, assisting fairgoers during their visit to the State Fair – as an extension of our regular guest services operations.
• CEIA OPENGATE^® WEAPONS DETECTION SYSTEM.
  • The State Fair will continue to have this state-of-the-art technology at each pedestrian entry gate. OPENGATE, manufactured by CEIA, is a weapons detection system designed for automatic screening of people in transit. All fairgoers will walk through this weapons detection system as they enter the Fair.
    • OPENGATE is used at several other local sporting and entertainment venues, including American Airlines Center, Dos Equis Pavilion, Toyota Music Factory, The CJ CUP Byron Nelson and Bass Performance Hall, as well as several local Independent School Districts – Arlington, HEB, Richardson, and Sherman – and other venues outside of DFW like, the Indianapolis 500, PGA Tour events, and many others.
• “AFTER 5 P.M. MINORS POLICY”
  • IMPLEMENTED IN 2023 AND WILL CONTINUE THIS YEAR. During the 2024 State Fair of Texas, starting at 5:00 p.m. daily, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering the Fair. Parents, guardians, or chaperones may accompany no more than six (6) minors 17 years of age and under. The State Fair will require all accompanying parents, guardians, and chaperones (21+) to present a valid ID upon entry starting at 5:00 p.m. daily. Once inside the fairgrounds, the parent, guardian, or chaperone is not required to remain with the minors; however, the State Fair encourages that they stay in communication with each other and be aware of their location on the fairgrounds during their visit.
• MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
  • This system is in place to notify people throughout the fairgrounds of inclement weather or other potential critical incidents. If you hear an alert coming from the fairgrounds sound system during your visit, please take it seriously, listen carefully, and follow the prompts.

Additional safety tips for planning your visit to this year’s State Fair:

• WE ARE LARGELY AN OUTDOOR EVENT. Approximately 80% of the State Fair is held in outdoor settings. Please be aware of the weather forecast and come prepared. Also, keep an eye on the weather forecast while visiting and listen for any inclement weather alerts on the sound systems or from officials and staff.
• As we do every year, we ask that everyone be “FAIR AWARE.” If you see something that doesn’t look right on the fairgrounds, say something. Tell a member of law enforcement, a State Fair Safety Team member, or anyone wearing an official State Fair polo. Let’s all do our part to keep the Fair safe.
• IF YOU ARE HOPING TO ATTEND WHEN THERE ARE LESS PEOPLE ON THE FAIRGROUNDS, consider attending on a weekday instead of a weekend. Weekdays are traditionally much less crowded than weekends and attending on a weekday provides you with many discounted admission offers. Visit BigTex.com/Discounts to see the full list of available discounts. In addition, Opening Weekend is historically less crowded than future weekends.
• PLEASE USE HAND SANITIZER AND WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY. We will have hundreds of hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the fairgrounds for public use. There will also be hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the barns and livestock areas, where it is especially important to wash your hands after visiting the animals.

ANIMAL SAFETY

• OFFICIAL STATE FAIR OF TEXAS VETERINARIAN
  • The State Fair of Texas maintains an official veterinarian on-site for the duration of the Fair, including all livestock events, to consult, develop, and implement the Fair’s animal health and welfare plan.
• ONGOING ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING FOR ANIMAL SAFETY
  • The State Fair coordinates with the Texas Animal Health Commission to determine animal health requirements on an ongoing basis.
  • The State Fair has already adjusted the requirements for animals arriving at 2024 competitions in response to current animal health concerns.
  • The State Fair communicates directly with livestock exhibitors to ensure the health and safety of both the animals and people.

FOOD SAFETY

• CITY OF DALLAS CODE COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS
  • Every State Fair food booth undergoes and must pass a Dallas Health Department inspection to be operational.
  • One notable exception is that State Fair of Texas vendors are often visited more frequently to ensure food safety standards. In addition to check-in, before the State Fair begins, concessionaires will be visited four more times for an inspection throughout the 24-day event.
    • In 2023, more than 900 food inspections were completed.
  • INDEPENDENT INSPECTORS
    • The State Fair goes above and beyond the required standards for food safety. We hire a third- party company with independent inspectors to complete additional inspections daily. Food vendors do not know when they will be inspected, and reports are reviewed by the State Fair food and beverage team daily to ensure food quality and safety.

FOOTBALL

As it relates to ICONIC COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES in Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair of Texas, we are excited to welcome back our longstanding traditions, starting with the STATE FAIR CLASSIC between the Grambling State University Tigers and Prairie View A&M University Panthers for another exciting matchup and Battle of the Bands during halftime on Opening Saturday, September 28 – kicking off at 6:00 P.M. The ALLSTATE RED RIVER RIVALRY between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Texas Longhorns returns for the 95th consecutive neutral site showdown with a 2:30 P.M. kickoff in Cotton Bowl Stadium on Saturday, October 12. As of 2024, these two esteemed schools are now housed under the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC), making for an even more anticipated and iconic matchup. Due to the historically large crowds, the State Fair will likely open early for the Red River Rivalry to allow fans plenty of time to enjoy the State Fair and make it to their seats inside Cotton Bowl Stadium. More details will be revealed closer to game day.

• Cotton Bowl Stadium follows NFL policy as it pertains to clear bag admittance. If you are attending a game in the Cotton Bowl, please visit BigTex.com/Football to see details on the CLEAR BAG POLICY and what is permitted and prohibited inside the stadium.
• A FAN CODE OF CONDUCT will be in place for games held inside Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair. All patrons shall comply with sportsmanship principles outlined in the NCAA Constitution, Article 1, C and SEC Bylaw, Article 10. Guest conduct is expected to be respectful prior to, during, and after each competition. By entering Cotton Bowl Stadium, you are agreeing to abide by the Fan Code of Conduct.

RIDE SAFETY

• INDEPENDENT MIDWAY
  • We operate an “Independent Midway,” meaning we do not just hire one ride operator to bring in all the rides. Running an independent midway is very rare in this industry because of the amount of work that goes into it; however, we have found it to be very beneficial for our model. We utilize many different operators, meaning each operator may have only one or a handful of rides on our Midway. This allows us to hand-pick the rides that we bring to the State Fair of Texas and bring the best attractions to our event for our fairgoers.
• NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (OR NDT)
  • Testing is completed prior to the State Fair as a manufacturer’s requirement. The ride owner is responsible for completing the non-destructive testing process and providing us with the results. Then our independent safety inspectors review those results.
• INDEPENDENT INSPECTORS
  • The State Fair of Texas contracts independent inspectors to inspect all rides prior to Opening Day and then continue to inspect groups of rides daily throughout the Fair. We require weekly safety meetings with all ride operators.

We are proud to create a family-friendly environment where visitors of all ages can come together to celebrate all things Texan at the Most Texan Place on Earth. The State Fair of Texas spent nearly $6.7 million on safety and security measures for the 2023 State Fair.

“The safety of our fairgoers, employees, and vendors remains the Fair’s number one priority. We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming experience for every single person who attends our annual celebration of Texas,” said Jaime Navarro, chief operating officer for the State Fair of Texas. “Comparable policies are in place industry-wide, and the State Fair of Texas believes these policy additions will further enhance our existing safety and security protocols.”

For more information on State Fair of Texas policies and other general frequently asked questions, please visit BigTex.com/KnowBeforeYouGo. We look forward to welcoming guests back to the Most Texan Place on Earth for the 2024 State Fair of Texas taking place at Fair Park in Dallas from Friday, September 27 through Sunday, October 20.