Updated Security Measures for This Year’s Montgomery County Fair; Metal Detectors and List of Prohibited Items

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has revised its safety/security measures for this year’s event, which takes place August 11th-19th. Per the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: The Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds is private property and we do not recognize any state or federal issued Concealed or Open Carry Firearm Permit. The Fair is a Family Friendly event that provides agricultural education and entertainment to children of all ages. Carrying firearms, weapons, and inappropriate behavior are prohibited.

Patrons entering the Fairgrounds will pass through metal detectors at each of our General Admission entry gates. These units will be adjusted to detect prohibited weapons and allow timely passage without the need to empty backpacks or pockets. Keys, cell phones, coins and other common items are permissible and will not be detected. Please leave hard, protective sunglass cases home as the metal in these cases will trigger the alarm. Accommodations will be in place at each gate to permit passage of strollers, child carriers, electric mobility chairs and similar devices.

Should a walk-through metal detector or any security official identify the need for further examination, the Fair reserves the right to conduct additional screening of the individual and their bags as a condition of gaining entry or maintaining admitted status on the fairgrounds. Upon entering the Fairgrounds, you accept that Security cameras are in place monitoring and saving activity at all times.

PROHIBITED ITEMS
1. WEAPONS
Weapons of any kind or objects that appear to be weapons as determined by Security Personnel, are prohibited and may not be brought onto the fairgrounds by any individual.
EXCEPTIONS:
A. POCKETKNIVES: A pocketknife with a blade 3 inches or less in length is only considered a weapon when used in an aggressive manner. Knives with blades longer than 3 inches are not permitted on the Fairgrounds.
B. OFF-DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS: Off-duty law enforcement officers currently employed by any of the following law enforcement agencies: (1) Montgomery County Police Department; (2) City of Gaithersburg Police Department; (3) the Maryland State Police; or (4) Federal FBI, US Marshal or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) or Homeland Security agents will be allowed to carry a concealed firearm provided that they show their badge and law enforcement ID to the security officer before proceeding through the metal detector. The following are prohibited from possessing a weapon or firearm on the Fairgrounds: (1) current or former members of the military; or (2) former law enforcement officials; or (3) law enforcement officials from any jurisdiction outside the State of Maryland.
2. PROHIBITED ITEMS & BEHAVIORS
Individuals possessing or displaying any of the following items or behaviors may result in removal from the Fairgrounds and possibly issued a No Trespass notice by the Montgomery County Police prohibiting entry onto the Fairgrounds property for one year.
• Smoking or vaping is not permitted in the following locations on the Fairgrounds or near the entry doors to buildings and events:
a. Indoor Buildings
b. Livestock Barns
c. Kidzone
d. Rabbit Barn
e. Poultry Barn
f. Big Cheese
g. Ice Cream Parlor
h. Restrooms
i. Tents or canopies
j. Vendor spaces
k. Grandstand
l. Pepco Community Stage
m. Show Rings
n. Racing Pig show
o. Carnival Rides
• Cannabis, although legal in Maryland under specific legal parameters, is not permitted on the
Fairgrounds.
• Illegal drugs, and related paraphernalia
• Alcohol that is not purchased from a registered vendor on the Fairgrounds
• Pets (service animals are permitted under the specific guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act
– ADA)
• Skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, bicycles, inline skates, foot-powered or electric scooters.
• Bull horns, air horns, megaphones or similar noise makers or voice amplification devices
• Drones, UAVs, UASs or any type of remote-controlled craft, car or truck
• Laser pointers, selfie sticks
• Gang-related clothes, colors, jewelry; and the display of Gang signs.
• Any form of apparel including masks, or Furries that conceal a person’s identity.
If a person is denied entrance due to possession of a prohibited items, they will have the opportunity to discard the items at the security screening area or return the item(s) to their vehicle. Prohibited items turned over to security at the time of entry will be considered confiscated and will not be returned. Those individuals choosing to leave the Fairgrounds will not
have their parking fee refunded and will need to pay the parking fee again if they choose to return.