TEXARKANA, Ark. - The Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department is releasing the following information concerning traffic, safety, and security measures planned for the 2019 Four States Fair.
The fair starts on Friday.
It is recommended non-fair traffic avoid Four States Parkway Drive during peak fair hours. Drivers will experience delays at the intersection of Arkansas Boulevard and Four States Fair Parkway Drive and Interstate 30 and Four States Fair Parkway Drive.
Vehicles may enter the Fairgrounds parking area the following ways:
- From the North: East 50th Street into the main parking lot.
- From the South: Arkansas Boulevard to Frontage Road to Parkway Drive north, then to East 50th Street where they will be directed to the main parking lot.
Vehicles may exit the parking areas and fairgrounds the following ways:
Main parking lot will exit on East 50th Street and either turn north on Parkway Drive or continue on East 50th.
- If the main parking lot or the east back parking lot are filled to capacity, then the access road along Parkway Drive will be used for parking. Whichever parking lot fills first will receive preference for this overflow parking.
- East back parking lot to East 46th Street then to Parkway Drive. All traffic entering Parkway Drive must turn south on Parkway Drive then south to Arkansas Blvd where drivers can turn east or westbound.
In order to deter theft, police urge all patrons to make sure that no purses or bags are left inside a parked vehicle. Patrons should also ensure that their vehicle doors are locked, and valuables are secured in the trunk before entering the Fairgrounds. We also suggest that patrons take the extra time necessary to arrive early and park in the Main Lot nearest the Rodeo Arena. This parking lot will be patrolled by security and is well lit.
Our goal each year is to make the fair a family-oriented event. Police Officers will have a zero-tolerance attitude with persons intending to cause trouble inside and outside the fair.
Officers will again be enforcing the city curfew ordinance during the Fair. The curfew applies to children under the age of 18. The city curfew begins at 11 p.m Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. This means that after the curfew hour children under the age of 18 must be in the immediate company of a parent or guardian while on the Fairgrounds property. Any juvenile that is not in the company of an adult after the set curfew hours is subject to be ticketed for curfew violation.
Pursuant to Fair Association Rules, all persons entering the Fairgrounds property are subject to be scanned by metal detectors. In addition to this, all bags are subject to be searched by Fairgrounds security, for weapons and contraband. Due to this, it is strongly recommended that large bags and purses not be brought to the Fairgrounds. Consolidate belongings into small handbags if necessary.
- No sagging pants are allowed inside the Fairgrounds. Persons with sagging pants will not be allowed inside or will be escorted off the premises.
- No large groups of unsupervised teens will be allowed to run rampant or widespread. These groups, when unsupervised, tend to develop unruly behavior and cause panic among other fairgoers.
- No weapons are allowed, and violators will be arrested.
Just a reminder, that when an individual is banned from the Fairgrounds, the ban remains on that person indefinitely. If that individual is later located on Fairgrounds property, they will be issued a citation or arrested for criminal trespassing. People who have been previously banned from the Fairgrounds and would like to receive consideration to have the ban removed may contact the Fair office at 903-773-2941.
These measures have been put in place to provide the safest environment possible for visitors to the Fair. The Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department hopes that everyone will have a safe time while at the Fair. Our officers will be on foot inside the Fairgrounds, so feel free to approach them with any questions or concerns.
-Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department