Pets
Pets are NOT allowed. However, a service animal is permitted for individuals with a disability. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. All service animals must remain on a leash or harness and may not be left unattended. Service animal behavior is the responsibility of the owner and you will be asked to leave the Fair if their behavior becomes a threat to the safety of another guest or employee. We do not have accommodations for pets at the fairgrounds.
For more information about service animals and the ADA, please visit their website.
Bull Horns, Air Horns, Megaphones, or Similar Items
Bull horns, air horns, megaphones, and similar items are NOT allowed. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. Use of these items on the fairgrounds is strictly prohibited and will result in the item being confiscated and could result in you being removed from the Fair.
Large Signs, Large Props, or Similar Items
Large signs or props are NOT allowed. Please leave them at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. Use of these items on the fairgrounds will result in confiscation of related materials and could result in you being removed from the Fair.
Selfie Sticks, Tripods, Monopods, or Other Camera Equipment
Unless credentialed through the State Fair of Texas’ PR office, Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, and similar items are NOT allowed. We ask that you leave your selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, and/or similar items at home or in your vehicle in the interest of the overall safety of our visitors. Use of these items on the fairgrounds is strictly prohibited and will result in the item being confiscated and could result in you being removed from the Fair. If you are a photographer interested in taking photographs with professional or extensive camera equipment, you must first contact the Fair’s Public Relations department via email at pr@BigTex.com.
Drones/UAVs/UASs
Drones, quad-copters and/or any type of remote controlled craft are NOT allowed on the fairgrounds, with one exception – registered vendors may sell these types of devices on the fairgrounds without their battery packs. The State Fair of Texas prohibits the use of all remote controlled devices of any type, including, but not limited to, aircraft, drones, quad-copters, cars or trucks, on or above property owned, leased or controlled by the Fair. Operation of such remotely controlled aircraft or ground vehicle devices without prior written consent of the State Fair of Texas or proper law enforcement authority will result in the confiscation of all related materials, you being removed from Fair property, and/or prosecution under Texas law.
Bicycle, Skateboard or Roller Skates
In the interest of overall safety for our guests, we ask that you do not bring bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates, and/or other wheeled forms of transportation inside the gates (wagons to transport small children are approved). Bicycle racks are located inside Gates 5, 6, and 11. Bicycles are not allowed through State Fair ticket gates. DART also provides bicycle racks at the two stations servicing Fair Park – Fair Park station on Parry and the Martin Luther King, Jr. station.
No weapons of any kind.
Please help us keep the Fair safe and fun for all! We reserve the right to search all fairgoers and their bags upon entry into the fairgrounds. No weapons of any kind are permitted on the fairgrounds. This includes guns, knives, clubs, tasers, etc. Also, all sharp metal objects, such as pocket knives, scissors, and other sharp implements, are strictly prohibited. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle. If you usually carry a pocket knife and forget it’s in your pocket when you reach the security checkpoint, you will be asked to return it to your vehicle to secure your knife or be given the option to dispose of it prior to entering the park. If you question whether something is safe to bring in, it probably isn’t – and should be left at home or in the vehicle.
License to Carry a Handgun
The State Fair of Texas is—and always has been—a private entity. The Fair leases the Fair Park property from the City of Dallas but is not part of the City or controlled by a government body.
The State Fair of Texas has long been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of the rights of responsible gun owning Texans. For that reason, the Fair has long allowed Fair attendees with valid handgun licenses to carry their handguns in a concealed manner while attending the Fair (except for locations prohibited by law). The State Fair will not allow unlicensed gun owners to enter the fairgrounds with a firearm.
A person holding a valid Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC), or a valid handgun license from a reciprocating state, is permitted to enter the Fair with his or her concealed handgun, provided that he or she thereafter fully complies with all applicable laws. LTC holders are responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable Texas laws. For example, under Texas Penal Code Chapter 46 an LTC holder is prohibited from carrying a handgun (1) on any other premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place (this may include Cotton Bowl Stadium, as well as the State Fair’s livestock facilities where interscholastic events are presented), (2) on the premises of a business that derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, or (3) while intoxicated.
The State Fair of Texas prohibits Fair attendees (including LTC holders) from openly carrying handguns while at the Fair. If an individual attempts to enter the Fair with an openly carried handgun, the guest will be asked to conceal the handgun (if the guest has a valid LTC), otherwise the guest will be asked to secure the handgun in his or her vehicle or at some offsite location.
We know that this is an important issue for many Texans, and that the Fair’s decision may disappoint potential fairgoers who regularly and responsibly practice open carry. However, the Fair strongly believes that allowing concealed carry and prohibiting open carry is a reasonable compromise that best ensures the safety and comfort of all Fair attendees.
NOTE: The State Fair of Texas does not provide lockers for the storage or checking of weapons, so please plan your visit to the Fair accordingly. For example, if you plan to attend a game or event in the Cotton Bowl Stadium, please secure your weapon at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds.