Security upgrades at the DE State Fair aim to keep fairgoers safe

HARRINGTON, Del. – The 2023 Delaware State Fair kicks off in less than a month. The annual event brings over 300,000 people to the fairgrounds in Harrington and that’s why organizers say safety is top of mind.

“As we recognize large venues, large events, we’ve upgraded several areas in regards to public safety,” says Asst. GM and Marketing Director Danny Aguilar.

The fair has added metal detectors at the four gates across the fairgrounds. They are set to detect prohibited weapons, not your keys or your pocket change. Aguilar says “Folks do not need to open their backpacks or empty their pockets, it’s a walk-through experience.”

They’re asking anyone with a conceal and carry permit to leave their weapons at home. As for something like a pocket knife, if the blade is smaller than two and a half inches, it’s not considered a weapon. They’ve also added more security cameras that would be under surveillance during the fair.

“We want to be more proactive rather than reactive,” says Aguilar. “We’re learning from other events, other venues. Very much if you go to a Phillies game, many large gatherings, they do have the weapons or metal detectors experience. We wanted to make sure we looked at the newest technologies and the walk through experience.”

Find a list of prohibited items here.

The Delaware State Fair runs July 20-29, 2023. 47 ABC WMDT will be broadcasting live from the Exhibit Hall all ten nights. Stop by and say “hi” to the team and then stay to play our version of Family Feud nightly at 6:30PM.