Evergreen State Fair Child Safety Program

The Evergreen State Fair is expanding our focus on child safety by providing some suggestions we hope that will help parents be proactive, to take steps before they leave home for a day at the fair. We know that searching for a lost child in a crowd of thousands is one of the most terrifying experiences a family can experience.

The fair has exceptional safeguards and supports in place including providing a “Lost Child Booth” where you can pick up free ID wristbands to help identify your child. The sheriff has a facility on site that they use to monitor surveillance cameras that are placed throughout the fair to help keep track of children. We also have highly trained sheriff officers and security personnel that patrol the grounds to help us provide a family friendly event but this is not enough we need your help.
Helping parents and guardians prepare for a kid-safe, worry-free outing to the Evergreen State Fair is at the heart of the “before you leave home checklist” that we have developed with help from Providence Regional Hospital’s Safe Kids Snohomish County program and Monroe Public Schools. Please review the checklist and let us know if you have any questions, suggestions or would like to be involved with keeping children safe during the fair.

View a Map of The Evergreen State Fair (PDF) which shows the location of the Lost Persons Booth #407 "L"

Keep Your Child Safe at the Fair – Before you Leave Home Checklist
Fewer Worries = More Fun

1. Keep Photos on Your Phone & Get Our Free ID Bracelets
Take a close-up photo of your child and a photo of the two of you together and store them on your phone. • Make a mental note of what your child is wearing and who they’re with. • NEVER have your child’s name displayed on clothing or backpacks. • Get a free ID bracelet for your child at the fair’s Lost Child Booth.

2. Know the Fair’s Safe Places & Safe People
Get a map (PDF) immediately upon entering the fair and locate the Help Center and Lost Persons Booth. • Talk with your child about who to ask for help – fair staff, police or fair security. • Be sure your child knows to not search for you on their own and not to leave the fairgrounds under any circumstances. • Program your child’s cell phone with key contact numbers. • Tell you child it’s OK to call 911 if they get separated from you.

3. Supervise, Supervise, Supervise
Adult supervision is required for children under 12 years old. • Never leave a child alone in the carnival area. If they go on a ride without you, find a place where you can see them at all times – while they’re in line, when they enter the ride and when exiting. • Older children should stay in groups and use the buddy system.

4. Accompany Your Child to the Restroom
Never let your child enter or stay in the restroom alone. The Events Center has family restrooms that allow you to accompany your child. • Older children should use the buddy system when using the restroom.

5. Make Tracking Your Child Easy
Dress your child in bright clothing so they’re easy to see in crowded areas. • Avoid becoming separated: walk at a pace that is comfortable for your child and never leave a procrastinating child behind. • Hold your child’s hand; place small children in strollers.

6. Make Contacting You Easy
Make sure your child knows their full name and phone number. Have them practice both saying it out loud and writing it down. • Write your phone number on a small slip of paper and tuck it in your child’s pocket.

7. Be Clear, Be Firm & Practice Together
Children begin to understand appropriate public behavior by age two or three. • Lead by example. • Be firm with your rules, and have your child repeat them back to you. • Reinforce stranger danger rules, and role play strategies for safety. • Playing Red Light, Green Light is a fun way to help children practice following your directions before the distractions of the fair begin.

8. Stay Together in Parking Lots
Never allow your child to walk or run ahead of you in parking lots. • Hold your child's hand firmly and be alert when walking in a parking lot. • Remember that even though you and your child can see a vehicle, the driver may not be able to see you.

9. Have Open, Trust-Building Conversations
Encourage your child to talk with you about any situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. Listen and take them seriously. Report any concern immediately.

View for a copy of this Checklist (PDF).