Rules of the Mississippi Fairgrounds

Title 2: Agriculture and Commerce Part 2: Rules of the Mississippi Fairgrounds Subpart 1 General Rules Solicitors and Peddlers 100.01 When the State Fair is in progress, no person or organization may solicit money, votes or signatures, sell or distribute merchandise, including written materials, or engage in a protest, demonstration or political speech on the Fairgrounds, except from a booth or display area on the Fairgrounds assigned by the Department. Such booths shall be assigned by the Department on a “first come-first served” basis, with a rental charge based on the size and location of the booth. Such activities must be conducted within the confines of the assigned booth or display area. This provision and §100.02 below do not apply to food or beverage sales. (Adopted February 8, 2008; Amended October 21, 2022; Amended October 1, 2025.) 100.02 When the State Fair is not in progress, no person or organization may solicit money, votes or signatures, sell or distribute merchandise, including written materials, or engage in a protest, demonstration or political speech on Fairgrounds property unless said person or organization secures a space through the normal rental process. (Adopted February 8, 2008; Amended October 21, 2022; Amended October 1, 2025.) Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-5-3. Signs A sign, display or poster may be erected by a person or organization authorized by the Department to be an exhibitor, vendor or building tenant on the Fairgrounds at his designated space or building during the subject event. The Department may operate its electronic sign at the High Street entrance to the Fairgrounds and enter into agreements for advertising on the Fairgrounds. The Department may authorize signs, displays, posters or banners as part of or to promote tenant activity of events. Outside of these agreements, no signs, displays or posters shall be allowed on the Fairgrounds. (Adopted February 8, 2008; Amended October 21, 2022.) Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-5-3. Ejection from State Fairgrounds Any person coming onto the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi who engages in any conduct that violates state or municipal law or Fairgrounds policies or that poses a clear and present danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, including but not limited to, fighting, intoxication (alcohol or drugs), use of profanity, acts of terrorism, unauthorized discharge of weapons or disorderly or threatening conduct, may be immediately ejected from the Fairgrounds by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture’s (“Department”) duly authorized agents or designees. (Adopted December 20, 2014; Amended October 21, 2022; Amended October 1, 2025; Amended February 5, 2026.) Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-5-3. Mississippi Fairgrounds Food and Beverage / Bag Policy 103.01 Due to contracts with concessionaires and vendors, no food or beverage may be brought into the Mississippi Coliseum, Trade Mart, or Kirk Fordice Equine Center from an independent source. 103.02 All bags and persons are subject to search. Event show promoters may have a more stringent policy such as bag size or clear bag policy and/or use of metal detectors or wanding. In that case, consult the policy of the show you are attending for additional information. 103.03 Items may be returned to your vehicle prior to entry or may be forfeited. Forfeited items become the property of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and will not be returned to the individual or show producer. The Department will not store or hold any item for any reason. 103.04 Other prohibited items in buildings include: (1) animals (with the exception of service animals as provided in the American with Disabilities Act or support animals as specified in the “Mississippi Support Animal Act”) (2) banners (3) fireworks (4) glitter (5) laser pointers (6) helium balloons (7) marketing / soliciting / vending items (8) other items deemed unacceptable by the Show Promoter. Again, check the show promoter’s policy for additional limitations. (Adopted April 20, 2019; Amended October 21, 2022; Amended October 1, 2025; Amended February 5, 2026.) Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-5-3. Safety and Security To ensure safety, security, and/or maintain order at the Fairgrounds, the Department, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to deny admission, prevent entry, and/or require a person already admitted to exit the Fairgrounds without refund, liability or compensation. Events leading to the Department taking action might include, but are not limited to, violations of state or local laws, rules or regulations; illegal or unsafe acts; or weather emergencies. Furthermore, the Department, in its sole and absolute discretion, without prior notice and/or refund, liability, or compensation, may change the operating hours of the State Fair, close the Fairgrounds, or close any part of the Fairgrounds temporarily, as circumstances so require. (Amended February 5, 2026.) Vendor Booths A three-person committee will review applications for prospective and returning vendors associated with the Mississippi State Fair and the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. The committee will include the Fairgrounds Executive Director, the Fairgrounds Deputy Director, and the Vendor Manager. The committee may approve or deny any application. Vendors must: • Submit an application prior to July 1 of each year. • Provide photos showing the proposed booth. • Provide a list or description of products being offered. The Fairgrounds seeks to provide a wide assortment and variety of products. • Provide general liability insurance in an amount to be determined by the Fairgrounds. • Sell products or use advertising which conflicts with any existing contracts or agreements of the Fairgrounds, the Mississippi State Fair or the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. • Adhere to all rules, regulations and policies of the Fairgrounds, including but not limited to: payment schedules, electrical fees, trash removal fees, delivery guidelines, signage guidelines, decorating guidelines, employee guidelines, safety guidelines, health department guidelines, and requirements of the Mississippi Department of Revenue and the State Fire Marshall. Booth space will or will not be granted by the Committee based upon a number of factors, including but not limited to: • Space availability. Space is limited and, historically, new openings are rarely available; • The Fairgrounds’ history with a vendor; • Public comments or complaints about previous vendors; • Reputation of vendor with other fairs and events; • Honesty and integrity of items represented when compared to items actually sold. Signage must not be misleading and should clearly and accurately depict description of products offered for sale. • Vendor booth products should be consistent with the Mississippi State Fair’s family- friendly atmosphere; and • Avoiding the placement of too many booths offering the same product. (Adopted August 29, 2019; October 1, 2025; Amended February 5, 2026.) Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-5-3. Mississippi State Fair To ensure safety, security, and/or maintain order at the State Fair, the Department, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to deny admission, prevent entry, and/or require a person already admitted to exit the Fairgrounds without refund, liability or compensation. Events leading to the Department taking action might include, but are not limited to, violations of state or local laws, rules or regulations; illegal or unsafe acts; or weather emergencies. Furthermore, the Department, in its sole and absolute discretion, without prior notice and/or refund, liability, or compensation, may change the operating hours of the State Fair, close the Fairgrounds, or close any part of the Fairgrounds temporarily, as circumstances so require. Any person coming onto the Fairgrounds for the State Fair in Jackson, Mississippi who engages in any conduct that violates state or municipal law or Fairgrounds policies that poses a clear and present danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, including but not limited to, fighting, intoxication (alcohol or drugs), use of profanity, acts of terrorism, unauthorized discharge of weapons or disorderly or threatening conduct, may be immediately ejected from the Fair by the Department’s duly authorized agents or designees. 106.01 Security Point When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through an entry security point where a metal detector and/or magnetic wanding may be utilized. I.D. checks may be conducted and may be required at the entrance gates before entering the Fairgrounds. Anyone who violates or attempts to bypass entrances where security checkpoints are in place will be subject to detainment by law enforcement and ejection from the Fairgrounds. 106.02 Youth Attendance After 6:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and all day on Fridays and Saturdays, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone, who is at least 21 years of age, when entering the fair. The Fair considers chaperones as a parent, guardian, or other supervising adult age 21 or over with a valid ID, including a photograph and date of birth. Valid types of identification include driver’s license, non-driver ID card, passport, visa, or military ID. The Fair will require each chaperone to remain at the Fair if they are bringing minors. Once inside the fairgrounds, the chaperone is not required to remain with the minors; however, the Fair encourages chaperones to stay in communication with the minors on the Fairgrounds during their visit. Chaperones must remain at the Fairgrounds while minors are present. All minors who fail to abide by the rules and regulations will be escorted to the appropriate gate to be reunited with their parent, guardian, or chaperone for purposes of removal from the Fairgrounds. Organized and ticketed group outings, such as school, church, corporate, and other pre-scheduled groups are exempt from the policy as these groups have established chaperone policies and practices already in place. ( Amended February 5, 2026.) 106.03 No Full-Face Coverings or Masks During State Fair Full-face coverings including, but not limited to, ski masks or gaiters, may not be worn on or brought onto the Fairgrounds during the Mississippi State Fair. Anyone found to be wearing any of these items, or possessing such items on the Fairgrounds, is subject to removal from the Fairgrounds or seizure of the covering. This regulation does not apply to facial masks worn for medical reasons or face coverings worn for validly held religious purposes. 106.04 Bag Policy To encourage quicker entry into the Fairgrounds, those attending the Fair are encouraged not to bring bags to the Fair. ALL BAGS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH. (Amended February 5, 2026.) 106.05 The following items are not permitted to be brought into the Fairgrounds during the State Fair: • Remote controlled devices, including drones and remote-controlled toys shall not be operated on or above the Fairgrounds, unless operated by law enforcement or those authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration • Fireworks, explosives, or inflammables • Laser pointers • Noise making devices • Full-Face Coverings or Masks (see 107.04) • Bicycles, skateboards, UAVs, scooters (unless a mobility device to accommodate a person with a disability), hover boards, golf carts, unless authorized by Fair management. • Coolers • Controlled substances • Destructive devices • Pets or animals, with the exception of service animals as provided in the American with Disabilities Act or support animals as specified in the “Mississippi Support Animal Act” or animals approved as part of an exhibition, act, or show. (Amended February 5, 2026.) 106.06 Miscellaneous Persons entering the Fair are subject to having their image and/or likeness reproduced for promotional and/or publicity purposes in Fair, Sponsor, or media photography, video, broadcasts and/or webcasts. Shirts and shoes are required to be worn at all times. Smoking is not allowed in indoor facilities, including e-cigarettes and vaping. Persons entering the Fairgrounds assume all risks incidental to the State Fair. (Adopted October 1, 2025.)