Opening weekend of Carolina Classic Fair marked by nearby shooting that left 2 injured; new safety measures added

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Safety concerns are taking center stage following several fights and a shooting outside the venue during the Carolina Classic Fair’s season opening weekend.

Throughout the first weekend, multiple fights were reported inside the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.

Then, at 9:57 p.m. on Sunday night, two people were shot at the corner of Boneyard Road and West 27th Street. A 20-year-old was shot in the leg, and a juvenile was shot in the shoulder. Both victims are expected to recover.

William “Cowboy” Goode Jr. has owned the private parking lot across from the fairgrounds for 25 years. He says he saw the shooting firsthand.

“I saw this young, whoever it was, firing a gun from there back towards the fairground,” Goode said.

Thousands came out to enjoy the rides, games and food, but, for many, the excitement was overshadowed by growing concerns over safety.

“It’s very disheartening,” Carolina Classic Fair Director Cheryle Hartley said. “A few bad apples spoil the whole bunch, and I feel like that’s what happened. A lot of families come out here to have a good time to ride and to eat, and then you have the ones that just fight or start something”

Law enforcement, as well as Hartley and other fair officials, say they are taking the safety concerns seriously.

Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn Jr. issued a statement, highlighting the unprecedented number of fights occurring at the fair but emphasizing that the police department is taking action to ensure families are safe while enjoying the fair.

Penn’s full statement is included below.

“The Winston-Salem Police Department has provided security at the fair for decades. We can confidently say that we have never seen adults and juveniles act to this degree. We’ve seen an increasing number of unruly teenagers and adults engaging in fighting and additional actions that make it challenging for officers to focus on public safety. This year, specifically over the weekend, behavior of juveniles and adults has escalated to a point where we have been forced to consider the implementation of new strategies to ensure the safety of the public.

“Please know, all possibilities are being discussed between city officials at this time. As is the case for any major event, city officials and law enforcement create a detailed safety plan and then adjust the plan based on the variables that are present before and during an event.

“We as city officials would like to encourage parents to attend the fair and supervise their kids. Clearly, we’ve had incidents with juveniles and the safest way to go about this is for parents to attend and supervise their children. In regard to adults fighting, city officials including law enforcement are requesting they model the appropriate behavior and understand that our children are watching. Acts of violence will NOT be tolerated. We can reassure the attendees at the fair that we are trained and prepared to handle whatever comes our way. However, we would like to reiterate that we all play a role in public safety and personal accountability is critical. Let’s all continue to work together to make the Carolina Classic Fair a fun, exciting, and safe experience for all attendees in our community.”

Chief William H. Penn Jr.

Winston-Salem police are increasing their presence around the fairgrounds and reviewing security protocols as the event continues throughout the week.

“There is security in their places, and there is EMS,” Hartley said. “We have a large management team. We work with emergency management and fire to make sure that we have everything covered.”

Fair officials say they are working closely with police to introduce new safety protocols ahead of next weekend. They’re asking everyone who visits the fair to speak up and alert authorities if they see arguments or anything that could escalate into violence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.