Arizona State Fair 2023: Here's the bag policy and items you can't bring with you

Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic
·2 min read

The 2023 Arizona State Fair will bring all your favorite rides, games and foods to the Arizona State Fairgrounds from Friday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 29. And to the delight of music fans, the Coliseum Concert Series is making its grand return after a three-year hiatus.

While the excitement over the Arizona State Fair is building leading up to its opening this weekend, there are a few questions left to be answered about the fair's bag policy: what kinds of bags you can bring and what isn't allowed past the entrance gates.

With all the wild fair foods and drinks for sale, it's no surprise that outside foods and beverages are not allowed. And you'll be expected to pass a metal detector and a bag check upon entering the fairgrounds. Here's what you can and can't bring to the Arizona State Fair.

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What purses, bags and backpacks are allowed at the Arizona State Fair?

Purses, backpacks, fanny packs and diaper bags are all allowed at the Arizona State Fair. All bags are subject to inspection. Guests may also be asked to walk through metal detectors, undergo pat-down searches or be scanned by a magnetic wand.

Can you bring water bottles into the AZ State Fair?

Empty plastic water bottles can be brought into the Arizona State Fair. There are bottle-filling stations throughout.

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Can you bring pepper spray to the Arizona State Fair?

Absolutely not. Pepper spray, mace and all types of weapons are prohibited.

What items are not allowed at the Arizona State Fair?

Drugs, alcoholic beverages and selfie sticks are among the prohibited items at the 2023 Arizona State Fair. Here's the complete list of items you cannot bring inside the fairgrounds.

  • Outside food or drink

  • Firearms

  • Ammunition

  • Pepper spray

  • Mace

  • Tasers or any other type of stun device

  • Knives with a blade longer than 2 inches

  • Sharp metal objects

  • Anything else that could be considered a weapon

  • Narcotics or illegal substances

  • Marijuana

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Glass bottles

  • Laser pointers

  • Selfie sticks

  • Sharpies

  • Drones

Prohibited items that are confiscated will not be returned to the owner.

People walk around the Arizona State Fair on Oct. 2, 2022, in Phoenix.
People walk around the Arizona State Fair on Oct. 2, 2022, in Phoenix.

Arizona State Fair 2023

When: Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Oct. 29. Opening weekend gates open at 4 p.m. After that, hours are noon-9 p.m. Thursdays; noon-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon-9 p.m. Sundays.

Where: Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

Admission: General admission is $15; free for age 7 and younger.

Details: 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State Fair: What you can and can't bring inside