The California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors voted to adopt a new code of conduct for the event in June.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Fair and Food Festival is just hours away from kicking off its 2022 season, after a hiatus for guests at the longtime staple event. This new season of festivities comes with new rules to ensure everyone’s safety.
The California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors voted to adopt a new code of conduct for the event in June. It comes as the state fair is expected to see record crowds, said state fair spokeswoman Darla Givens.
New policies come into effect that say visitors should be aware of the types of bags they can bring and when young people can visit alone.
Cal Expo will require that all bags brought to the venue be clear. This will help streamline security checks when guests enter the park, Givens said.
“So make sure you have your clear bag with your contents in it,” Givens said. “Hold it to our safety, they’ll make sure there’s nothing in it that’s not dangerous and it’ll get you through the line faster.”
Diaper bags and medically necessary bags can also be brought in after undergoing an additional check.
Young people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 6 p.m. Guests may be asked to provide identification.
“We don’t want to fire people, but we have a code of conduct that we expect people to follow,” Givens said.
In 2019, over 80,000 people attended the two-week event. Cal Expo is the only fairgrounds in the country with a full-time, year-round police department, the Cal Expo Police Department, which will be fully operational.
Officers from 33 agencies work at the department year-round and include mounted, bicycle, motorcycle and foot officers.
The California State Fair and Food Festival begins Friday and ends July 31.
