No adult means no entry to Madera fair after dark

MADERA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A new rule will ban under-18s from entering the Madera District Fair after 7 p.m., unless they are with someone over the age of 21.

Organizers say the new admissions policy is aimed at keeping families together and improving safety and describe it as “the right move.”

“Success comes when more families return to the fair,” said CEO of the Madera District Fair Barbara Leach. “They feel like they can stay longer.”

Leach emphasized that the new rule isn’t designed to keep anyone out, but rather to create a better experience for everyone.

“Our expectation is everyone’s in the fair,” Leach said. “If you’re local to Madera and beyond, you should be here and you should have a safe and enjoyable time at our fair.”

The Madera Police Department, which partners with the fair, says the change could help reduce missing child reports, something officers have had to respond to in previous years.

“Children get separated from their parents and it can take some of the attention and resources away from our ability to monitor the fair,” Madera Police Sgt. Mark Adams said. “By having parents take a little bit more responsibility for monitoring their children, I think it would better serve the fairgrounds and everybody else.”

Both fair officials and police say a safer environment means more time to enjoy everything the event has to offer.

“This year is So Extra,” said Leach. “We open the gates early, Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. So there’s an extra hour of fun this year. Plus, Thursday night is free for all guests to enter.”

This year, Leach says the fair will have a new theme and new hours for guests, along with many of the classic attractions that the fair is known for, including:

• Tech Town, hosted by local world champion robotics team MadTown 1323
• A drone cage, where guests can try flying drones
• The Table Mountain Concert Series, free concerts nightly with paid admission
• Ground entertainment such as magicians, jugglers, community performers, and live music throughout the fairgrounds
• $5 Fair Friday, a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. featuring $5 food and drink deals from all vendors, including beer

The Madera Fair runs from September 4 through September 7.