Under a new safety protocol at the Ohio State Fair, youths under 18 will be turned away at the admission gates after 6 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult chaperone.
With tens of thousands of people — maybe even more than a million — expected to flock to the fairgrounds between July 24 and Aug. 4, safety is a priority for fair officials, who collaborate with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assess and implement new safety procedures.
When is the Ohio State Fair?Here's when the butter cow will be on display
"We regularly review our protocols to align with industry best practices and recommend adjustments based on data and trends. Many other events, amusement parks and malls have instituted similar procedures," said Alicia Shoults, assistant general manager for the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair.
The new policy stipulates that minors must be with a "sober and competent person aged 21 or older," such as a parent, relative, legal guardian or other adult when entering the fairgrounds after the designated time. Unsupervised youths will be denied entry and asked to leave or return with a chaperone.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Chaperones will not be allowed to accompany more than six patrons per day and all fairgoers, including those over 18, may be required to show valid, government-issued ID for proof of age.
The new rule, which will be enforced daily, is applicable regardless of entry method to the fair — for instance, using a pre-purchased ticket or reentering with a hand stamp from earlier in the day.
Navigating the Ohio State Fair:Check out the 2024 map
Shoults said fighting and misbehavior of unaccompanied minors is a concern at many venues and events, including the Ohio State Fair.
"The more we can reduce the risk of unsafe practices, the more we can improve the overall safety of the event," she said.
New fare at the fair:From food to entertainment, see what's new at the 2024 Ohio State Fair
One exception: underage concertgoers with valid tickets will get a bit of leeway and be permitted to enter the fair and concerts after 6 p.m. without an adult. However, once the concert is over, they will be required to leave the fair "in a timely manner" or meet up with a chaperone.
Young people who are caring for animals or working at the fair are exempt from the curfew as long as they have valid credentials.
Shoults said fair officials don't anticipate a great deal of pushback from the public about the new policy.
"Although new for the Ohio State Fair, procedures like this aren’t new to many of our visitors, as many fairgoers experience curfews or chaperone policies at other events.
"That said, we will closely evaluate consumer feedback and safety at this year’s Ohio State Fair," she said.
Food, glorious food:From heavenly to 'huh?!,' here's the rundown on Ohio State Fair food
Other safety measures at the fair include but are not limited to:
- Magnetometers: Visitors are screened by metal detectors upon entry.
- Bag searches: Purses, backpacks, book bags, coolers, strollers, etc., are allowed, but are subject to search.
- Concert screening: All guests entering the WCOL Celeste Center for concerts must undergo an additional weapons-detection screening and are subject to additional screening and bag searches before entry.
Numerous items are prohibited from being brought onto the fairgrounds, including weapons such as knives, chains, bats and sticks; illegal substances; alcoholic beverages; bicycles, Segways, hoverboards, skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, mopeds, motorcycles and other two-wheel vehicles; drones (unmanned aircraft systems); laser pointers; selfie sticks; glass bottles and containers.
Street closures around fairgrounds:Ohio State Fair road closures in effect through Aug. 6
Prohibited items must be returned to the owner's vehicle, disposed of or surrendered to highway patrol.
Additionally, patrons carrying firearms, whether openly or concealed, can only enter the outdoor areas of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. If anyone carrying a firearm wishes to enter a building, they can return the firearm to their vehicle and reenter the fair with an admission hand stamp.
Most Popular
Comments / 0