TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida State Fair officially opens on Thursday at the state fairgrounds outside Tampa, launching a 12-day run expected to draw nearly half a million visitors through Feb. 16.
As one of the largest annual events in Hillsborough County, the fair brings major crowds, and this year, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out several new safety measures aimed at keeping the event fun and secure.
Sheriff’s officials say they are prepared to manage traffic, crowd control and safety throughout the fair’s run. More than 1,000 deputies will be working the fairgrounds, patrolling on foot, by bike and on horseback…