Folks going to the Cumming Country Fair & Festival, which began its annual 11-day run on Thursday, will have to check their weapons at the door.

Cumming Police Chief Mike Eason said authorities will be watching for weapons, including concealed firearms, at the admission gates.

"The new gun-carrying laws do not include allowing people to carry a concealed weapon permitted within the confines of the fair," Eason said. "People need to be aware that they can not carry, even if they're licensed, a handgun inside the fair."

Eason said firearms brought to the 14th annual fair, which runs through Oct. 12, will have to be taken back to the owner's vehicle before coming in the gate.

Pocket knives will be taken up, but owners can claim them at the gates when they leave. Eason said alcohol and backpacks are restricted as well.

"We encourage parents to keep an eye on their children," the chief said. "We know traffic's going to be very congested in the area, so people need to try to avoid it as a through road during the fair."

Eason said the city is expecting a good crowd -- the fair draws about 120,000 people every year -- and the weather should be nice.

"Some Saturdays we'll go over 20,000," he said.

Eason said last year the biggest issue was people spitting off of rides. There were a few incidents of people breaking in line.

"We just encourage people to come have a good time," he said.