Texas State Fair 2008

[txflyer]

Would the FFA kids showing their animals be a "high school" activity? It ain't football, but it could be an event? Any thoughts?

DPD doesn't seem to think it's a school event since they let you in with a weapon. That's good enough for me.

[srothstein]

It is not a high school sponsored event. It may have students showing, but it is sponsored by the FFA, which is not a part of the school system.

[CHL/LEO]

Would the FFA kids showing their animals be a "high school" activity? It ain't football, but it could be an event? Any thoughts?

DPD doesn't seem to think it's a school event since they let you in with a weapon. That's good enough for me.

The only time a CHL holder might have issues once they're inside the main fair gates are if they're attending an event at the Cotton Bowl. There is a separate security search prior to entering the Cotton Bowl for football games so even it you can enter the fairgrounds with your CHL you cannot legally enter the Cotton Bowl with a weapon.

[Dragonfighter]

My advice, if the words "Jonas Brothers" is associated in anyway with the date you're planning to attend, go another time!

Seriously though, last year I went 4 (5?) times and was spared the indignity of having to wait for security or fill out the form. It was all handled by the security person (wand) except once when they weren't sure and walked me to the gate (discreetly) and had the cop at the gate verify. My wife freaked the first time I beat her through the gate. It was the best year yet as far as CHL for me. I am hoping for more of the same this year.

[fizteach]

Actually, isn't October 10th Dallas ISD fair day? My district's fair day is Oct 6th. I do not like to go on "Dallas ISD" fair day as it is the day with the biggest potential for trouble.

[dude]

I went today with the wife, kids, and some of the in-laws. I had told the wife what to expect at the gate and that I would go in last so as not to draw too much attention to myself. I had my gun on my right hip, spare mag on the left.

When we got to the gate, I got in a different line than the rest of my party. Watching the "security" guy, I noticed he was scanning around people's belt/pocket areas, and the wand was going crazy on every person. Every time he just said, "Go on", without any questions or demands to empty pockets.

When it got to be my turn, I had my CHL in my shirt pocket ready to go, but kept my mouth shut and got the same treatment as everyone else when the wand squealed... "Go on".

[slow944]

Took the wife to the State Fair yesterday and as usual I packed my Kahr MK9 IWB and when I got to the gate I just showed security my DL and CHL and they sent me over to an officer inside the gate where she looked over my ID's again and said " thanks for your cooperation" and let me pass. All in all had a good time except for all the walking which got to my feet after a couple of hours. I don't think there are as many exhibits this year as in years past, but the Mid Way looks bigger with a lot of rides.

[grim-bob]

I had wondered if there would be less exhibits/vendors this year. We went to Grapefest a few weeks back and it was very light on vendors. Wasn't sure if it was due to Ike or the economy.

[bburgi]

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[Ace_Inthe_O]

I went to the fair on sunday night. We went in through gate 5 there was no line and just two security gaurds. I went in last behind my group and just had my chl in my hand. The man with the wand took a look at it smiled abd then turned the wand off and pretended to sweep me then sent me on my way. I was very happy with how discreet he was. Fair was fun plenty of police presence which is good considering the area.

[Nintao]

I am glad they allow concealed carry and I think they are being a great example of how to handle things. I hope I get my plastic in hand by the time I deceide to go (if i do).

What does amuse me tho is when they ban pocket knives, but serve you food on these nice long wooden spikes!

[winkydo]

the wife and i went with a friend and his girlfriend on friday. my friend and i carry, and his girlfriend is a LEO. we all showed our plastic at the entrance and were told to just go on up and show the cop in the big podium inside the gate... a few minutes later we purchased our tickets and just went on in. even if anyone could tell what was going on, once we disappeared into the crowd, no one would be the wiser.

anyways, oct 10th was not so bad. the gang unit was hanging out but it wasn't so bad. after the game we went over to the hockey game, but we had to keep things safely locked in the truck.

[LA17]

Went with the family today. Both the wife and I carry (she has a non-resident FL, I have that as well as a LA). We showed our IDs and were told to go on through. We weren't directed to the officer on the inside or anything. The guy just scanned our son with the wand. Not sure if he was supposed to send us to the officer but all went well, figured we would get a little more scrutiny being out of state but definitely can't complain.

[2fs2ns]

My family and some good friends went to the fair this past weekend. The gate attendant just waved me through when I showed him my chl. However when my buddy walked through right behind me the guy asked him where his cell phone was My buddy go "excuse me??" The guy shot right back, "Your cell phone sir!", so he showed it to him and the guy goes, "That wasn't difficult was it" and waved him through...kinda weird...maybe he was trying to be funny?

Last year the attendant stared me down for about 5 minutes, looking at me, then the picture, then me, then the picture. I asked him if I looked that different, and he told me I wasn't shaved in the pic. I laughed and walked through. Funny enough, the same buddy I was just talking about got stopped for a pocket knifew (no chl at the time) and they wouldn't let him through. So I carried it for him...

[tbranch]

We went to the fair today. I had my LCP and an extra mag in a Desantis EZ-Rider (OWB). They wanded me and missed the LCP which was on the side closest to the "security" person and in the open. I walked in without showing any ID.

Tom