TAMPA, FL — The 2026 Florida State Fair concluded without major incidents, drawing more than 350,000 attendees over its 11-day run and maintaining a safe, family-friendly atmosphere, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
In a statement released today, authorities emphasized that public safety remained the top priority throughout the event, held February 5–16 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Deputies implemented proactive enforcement, visible presence, clear behavioral guidelines, and swift intervention when necessary, resulting in low numbers of disruptions despite the large crowds.
Key safety statistics from the 2026 Florida State Fair:
- Total attendance: More than 350,000 people
- Total ejections: 54
- Juveniles ejected: 44
- Adults ejected: 10
- Comparison to 2025: 56 total ejections (slight decrease this year)
- Total arrests: 10
- Juvenile arrests: 7
- Adult arrests: 3
Family Day — when thousands of students attended — saw particularly strong results:
- Ejections: 45
- Arrests: 2
- Comparison to 2025 Family Day: 21 arrests (dramatic reduction of more than 90% in arrests this year)
Sheriff Chad Chronister credited the positive outcome to effective planning, community cooperation, and enhanced technology deployed this year.
“This fair represents the very best of our community,” Sheriff Chronister said. “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.”
This year’s security upgrades included new Axon camera trailers to expand video monitoring coverage across the fairgrounds and additional drone resources to improve response times and situational awareness. Sheriff Chronister thanked the Florida State Fair Authority for providing critical resources, technology, and support, and praised deputies for their “tremendous effort” in keeping the event secure.
The overwhelmingly responsible behavior of the vast majority of attendees — especially on Family Day — allowed one of Florida’s largest annual events to celebrate agriculture, entertainment, rides, food, and community traditions in a safe environment. No major disturbances or serious crimes were reported during the fair’s run.
