LOUISVILLE, Ky. — State Police are revealing more information into an incident they said caused an early closure of the Kentucky State Fair Saturday night.
Police said they received reports of a disturbance in the front of the Midway area of the fairgrounds around 9:20 p.m.
This led to the Kentucky State Fair Board initiating a “soft close” of the fair shortly after out of an abundance of caution to those in attendance.
Sara Collins, a Louisville mother attending the fair with her family Saturday, when the panic ensued, she said, after a loud noise that "sounded like a gunshot."
At the time, Collins was away from her son.
"First it was a sound and then it was everyone screaming," she said. "And, then I'd seen everyone running away. My first thought was my son."
She eventually found her son, who was okay.
In the preliminary investigation, KSP said a group of individuals caused panic with noise-making devices which caused fair-goers to believe shots had been fired.
Police said they have found no evidence of a weapon being discharged during the incident, but said the investigation was ongoing.
David Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues, said the state fair board will continue to work closely with law enforcement as the investigation advances, but at this time he does not believe people need to be worried to return to fairgrounds.
"We put a tremendous amount of emphasis on it being a safe and friendly place for all Kentuckians to come together," Beck said. "We were disappointed [Saturday] that a few individuals disrupted that, but we're so thankful no one was injured."
This incident led to eight arrests by KSP and one by Kentucky Fair Board Police. Police said three adults and six minors were among the arrests with all of them from Jefferson County.
The charges include disorderly conduct, menacing, possession of a stolen property and possession of a handgun.
The Kentucky State Fair Board said operations would go on as normal Sunday.
The fair had revised their attendance policy in 2019 requiring attendees under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older after 6 p.m.
They also made changes to increase safety including increased lighting and police presence during peak hours.
KSP said they would issue final details when the investigation is complete.
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