DALLAS — The State Fair of Texas is almost here, and officials are introducing several new safety protocols, from banned weapons to limits on bag size, following last year’s shooting that injured three people.

What You Need To Know

  • Weapons of any kind are now banned at the State Fair of Texas following a shooting on Oct. 14, 2023, that injured three

  • Bag sizes are limited to 9 inches by 10 inches by 12 inches, with an exception for medical and childcare bags

  • A new State Fair Command Center will be a hub for communication, oversight and incident notification

  • Officials encourage fairgoers to remain “fair aware” and report any suspicious activity

Weapons of any kind are prohibited at this year’s State Fair. This applies to all fairgoers, including those who hold a license to carry. Current or qualified retired peace officers in accordance with state law can be exempt from the policy after verification from the Dallas Police Department.

Weapons that are not permitted include but are not limited to:

  • Firearms

  • Knives that are prohibited according to state law

  • Clubs

  • Explosive devices

  • Ammunition

  • Chemical dispensing devices, replicas or hoaxes

  • Other weapons of any kind

New this year, the size of permitted bags at the State Fair is now limited to 9 inches by 10 inches by 12 inches. Exceptions will be made for medical bags and parenting/childcare bags.

Here is a list of permitted bags:

  • Bags and soft-shell coolers that are 9 inches by 10 inches by 12 inches or smaller (coolers must use ice packs or clear bagged ice; loose ice is no longer allowed)

  • Medical bags containing medically necessary items (not limited by size, but will still be searched)

  • Parenting/childcare bags (not limited by size, but will still be searched)

A State Fair Command Center will be introduced for the first time at this year’s fair. The command center will be a hub for communication, oversight and incident notification. It will run 24 hours a day during all 24 days of the fair and will be led by recently retired director of the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management, Rocky Vaz.

A redesigned entry gate layout will include signage on what items are permitted/prohibited. Guests will also be screened through weapons detection technology.

After 5 p.m., minors 17 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone over the age of 21. This policy was introduced in 2023 and is continuing this year.

State Fair officials encourage fairgoers to remain “fair aware” and to report any suspicious activity.

“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,” a statement from State Fair officials reads.

Three people were injured at last year’s State Fair on Oct. 14, 2023, when gunfire broke out in the fair’s food court. 

The State Fair of Texas runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20.