Several juveniles were arrested Tuesday after multiple melees broke out at the Alameda County Fair before the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Department.
Officers resorted to using batons and pepper spray to subdue the violence, which resulted in seven juveniles being arrested, cited and later released, according to the sheriff's department. A sheriff's deputy had earlier said 10 people were arrested.
The arrestees were accused of resisting arrest, battery and assault, according to the sheriff's department.
The violence at the festive celebration was a unique experience, according to Colby Staysa from the sheriff's department.
"I've been at the county fair for a number of years," he said. "It is a safe environment, but unfortunately today, this Fourth of July, we saw a crowd enter the fairgrounds that were interested in chaos and anarchy."
Approximately 40,000 people attended the Fourth of July celebration at the fairgrounds. Considering the crowd size, making only seven arrests indicated that law enforcement personnel had things under control, according to sheriff's department spokesperson Sgt. Ray Kelly.
"Anytime you get tens of thousands of people together, you're always going to have a little element of those who don't want to follow the rules and wants to cause problems," he said. "But by and large, it was a good day there."
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No officers or fair attendees were injured during the scuffles.
Sheriff's deputies and security personnel will once again be patrolling the fairgrounds Wednesday.
"We have plenty of sheriff here on site to make sure that this is not only a fun place for your family to come but is also a safe place," Angel Moore, a representative for the Alameda County Fairgrounds, said.
The last day of the fair is set for Sunday.
