Crime & Public Safety
Enhanced security planned at Mississippi State Fair in Jackson ahead of Oct. 8 opening
Organizers and state law enforcement leaders announced stepped-up security at the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson, Hinds County, ahead of the fair’s Oct. 8 opening. The 167th fair is scheduled to run Oct. 8–18 at the fairgrounds in Jackson, and officials detailed screening and staffing plans at a news conference held at the Mississippi Trade Mart.
Authorities said a large law enforcement presence will be on site, with Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson estimating “dozens of officers” in uniform and plain clothes. The Mississippi National Guard is slated to help kick off opening day. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said it has allocated resources from Capitol Police, the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to assist with security.
Fairgoers will pass through metal detectors at seven entry points to the midway, and organizers are asking everyone to bring identification. Full-face coverings will be prohibited for security reasons. Fair officials also announced an accompaniment policy: anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older after 6 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and all day Friday and Saturday.
These measures were presented as precautions by fair and law enforcement officials; no enforcement actions, arrests, injuries, or criminal allegations were reported in the announcement. The security posture is described as in place for the fair’s opening and duration Oct. 8–18.
More Hinds County news · Request a correction or case update
All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.