Chesterfield County Fair general manager speaks after violent incidents

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Chesterfield County Fair Association officials gave their thoughts after several fights Saturday night led to four people arrested.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, two teens and two adults were arrested after gates closed as scheduled at 9 p.m., according to the Chesterfield County Police Department.

Officials said several fights broke out as crowds reached the parking lot, and multiple police officers responded and gave orders for the crowd to disperse. According to police, officers deployed pepper spray in an attempt to break up multiple fights.

Brenda White Vaughn, General Manager of the Chesterfield County Fair Association, said that Saturday night’s incident at the fairgrounds was disappointing and that safety measures are always in effect before, during and after the fair.

“I can’t explain in my mind how disheartening it is, because we work year-round to make this a great event and it is a great event, it truly is,” Vaughn said. “We have metal detectors at each gate, two of them at each gate, we have bag checks. We have a clear bag policy that if it’s anything larger than that of a small fanny pack, you are required to carry a clear bag.”

Vaughn says safety will always be the association’s number one priority and does not want customers to take Saturday night’s incident as the norm. She also had a message to those looking to disturb those who come to the fair to have fun.

“Stay home,” Vaughn said. “This is not the environment, not that there’s any environment for such a thing. But this is a fun family event for all ages and we want everybody to enjoy themselves.”

Officials said the juveniles who were arrested were released to their parents at the scene. No police officers were injured.

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