HomeLocal NewsChaos at the 2026 Florida State Fair: 10 Arrests and 54 Ejections...

Chaos at the 2026 Florida State Fair: 10 Arrests and 54 Ejections in Unprecedented Security Sweep

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The curtains have fallen on the 2026 Florida State Fair, marking a successful event that drew more than 350,000 visitors to one of the Sunshine State’s most anticipated annual gatherings.

Ensuring a safe experience for all attendees was a top concern this year. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported 54 ejections and 10 arrests throughout the event.

This year’s ejection numbers show a slight improvement compared to the 56 recorded in the previous edition of the fair.

Of those arrested, seven were minors, while the remaining three were adults.

This year’s fair featured enhanced safety technology, including new Axon camera trailers and additional drone resources to heighten awareness across the fairgrounds.

Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

“This fair represents the very best of our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

“With more than 350,000 people in attendance, we saw families, students, and visitors come together to enjoy a great Florida tradition. When issues arose, they were addressed quickly and appropriately. Our goal is always to ensure events like this remain safe, welcoming, and family-friendly. I want to thank the Florida State Fair Authority for providing the resources, technology, and support that helped make this event a success, and I am especially grateful to our deputies for the tremendous effort they put in to ensure everyone could enjoy the fair safely.”

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