Mass Gathering Statute

Unfair to Fairs?
 Today’s Goal
• Detailed understanding of this statute

• Determine Impact on all our fairs

• Gain agreement on a recommendation

• Identify next steps

 State Statute on Mass Gathering
• Events with 2,000 or more in attendance
and more than 12 hours in a day

• Enacted in 1971, in response to music

festivals in Woodstock, NY and Powder
Ridge in CT

• Designed for one-time events in a

temporary facility with limited infrastructure
 Statute cont’d………..
• Department of Health (DPH) statute -- Scope includes
Health and Public Safety:
– potable water
– separate enclosed toilets
– sanitary disposal of solid waste
– written plan for emergency services
– illumination – five foot candles but …
– telephones
– security guards (1 for 750 people)
– bond - $4 per person
• Requires municipal permit
• Identified as a revenue opportunity
 Issues and Concerns
• Fairs now subject to this regulation when
Event hours of operation in statute
changed from 18 to 12 hours

• Discussions with DPH officials have not

changed department position
 Issues and Concerns cont’d…….
• Could add significantly to our costs,
possibly close/curtail fairs

• May cost towns more to enforce than

revenue collected

• Solution in search of a problem

 Facts About Connecticut Fairs
• Established fairgrounds
• Strong and tested infrastructure
• Experienced fair association memberships
• Longstanding community ties & benefits
• Existing local ordinances and processes
• Historical behavior and results
• Adequate state &local regulation and procedures
– Building codes
– Health codes – food, water, sanitation
– Ride safety inspections
 Alternative Solutions

• Status Quo

• Language modification of existing statute

• Exemption for fairs

 Recommendation
• Exempt fairs from this statute
– Government-sponsored fairs held on
regularly-established fairgrounds are exempt

• How? Add to Exceptions – (Paragraph C)

of Section 19a-443

• Need unified position of Connecticut fairs

 Next Steps
• Contact Legislators – Awareness &
Support

• Provide exception language

• Pursue additional community support

• Other Suggestions….