Fights and Rumors of Gunfire Disrupt Columbia County Spring Fair
EVANS, Ga. — What was meant to be a weekend of fun and family festivities at the Columbia County Spring Fair turned chaotic after a series of altercations involving minors prompted an early closure Saturday night. Rumors of gunshots quickly spread across social media, though authorities have since confirmed that no weapons were involved.
Despite a fair policy requiring all minors 17 and under to be accompanied by a parent after 7 p.m., multiple incidents were reported on both Friday and Saturday nights. On Friday, a fight broke out between a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. The situation escalated on Saturday when large groups of unsupervised teens reportedly began cutting lines and disobeying fair rules, forcing organizers to shut down the event at 9:30 p.m.
“Based on the fact of disruptions and the unruliness, the Merchants Association decided to close down the Fair,” said Andy Shedd, with the Special Operations Division of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
In the aftermath, fairgoers took to social media claiming they heard gunshots or saw a firearm during the commotion. However, the sheriff’s office quickly dispelled those rumors.
“There is no indication and no proof whatsoever that that occurred,” Shedd said. “It was a social media myth that ran rampant. Our officers on site were eyewitnesses to the entire incident and confirmed that no shots were fired.”
Attendee Sheena Inglett, who was at the fair with her family Saturday evening, described a tense and confusing atmosphere. As the crowd began to panic, she said her family took shelter behind a vendor’s curtain after seeing people running and screaming.
“My husband grabbed me and the baby, and we went beside a vendor,” Inglett said. “She had us hide behind one of her curtains because nobody knew what was going on.”
Inglett and other visitors expressed frustration over the early closure, with many calling for refunds, especially those who had just arrived when the event was shut down.
Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage to identify individuals who may have instigated the violence.
“If we can prove that someone was an instigator, then they will definitely be charged,” Shedd said.
To prevent future incidents, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office plans to increase the number of officers on duty for the remainder of the fair’s schedule.
“Our plans for this upcoming weekend are to bolster our efforts in security and have even more officers on hand so that nothing like this happens again,” Shedd said.
The Columbia County Spring Fair, a popular local event, has historically been family-friendly, but this weekend’s events have left some questioning how security will be handled going forward.
