It is the week of the annual Liberty County Fair and Rodeo. This event is hosted at the fairgrounds and attracts several thousands of visitors daily.

Early in the evening large crowds fill the 127-acre complex. People stream to and from the parking areas; traffic is congested; and the Midway area, outdoor stage, and Grandstand are filled to capacity.

Small elements of the County Sheriff’s office, the Central City Police Department, the Central City Fire Department, and County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are located in and around the fairgrounds to provide for public safety at the event. These organizations are operating cooperatively, but no centralized incident command structure has been established.