Unaccompanied Minor Policy

The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc. places safety & security as its top priority. As such, we regularly review our protocols, in consultation with police and security personnel, to align with industry best practices and recommend adjustments based on data and trends.

In 2022, a statistically significant percentage of misconduct and incidents were perpetrated by minors, after 6pm.

With this data point in mind, the following adjustment to our Guest Code of Conduct were put into effect for the 2023 State Fair and will continue for the 2024 Maryland State Fair.

• After 6pm, all fairgoers under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied at all times by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone (age 21+).
• Each adult may chaperone up to six (6) individuals.
• Individuals eighteen (18) years or over may be asked to show a valid driver’s license for proof of age for entrance. Young adults without a valid driver’s license or accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone will not be admitted after 6PM.
• Any individual under the age of eighteen (18) found unaccompanied inside the Fairgrounds without a a parent, legal guardian or chaperone (age 21+) will be removed from the fairgrounds without refunds.
• This does not apply to group outings or those participating in competitions where existing chaperone procedures are in place. Such as 4-H or FFA participants.