In most cases, nothing larger than a medium-sized purse or tote bag is allowed in.

In most cases, nothing larger than a medium-sized purse or tote bag is allowed in.

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

In most cases, nothing larger than a medium-sized purse or tote bag is allowed in.

Preparations are underway for the 171st Wisconsin State Fair, which starts two weeks from Thursday. Some of the changes this year focus on security.

State Fair Park's new CEO, Shari Black, said this year they'll have portable barriers at Gate 5, the agriculture gate.

Black said they're the same type of barriers bought for the Waukesha Memorial Day parade.

"We have a lot of traffic coming in that has trucks that have trailers and pedestrian traffic lots of trucks. That's why we needed those," Black said.

The barriers are designed to stop a vehicle as large as a box truck in its tracks.

Along with those barriers, each gate will have a metal detector.

Also new this year, the fair is also the size of bags allowed in.

For most guests, nothing larger than a medium-sized purse or tote bag will get through.

Anything larger than 9x10x12 is allowed inside.

Black said they will make exceptions for families with diaper bags or other needs.

Black said each bag, regardless of size, will be checked at the gates.

"We wanted to make sure we're making things as safe as possible, but also being efficient as we are going through these bag checks," Black said. "Allowing people to get in and enjoy the fair as soon as possible."

The fair starts Aug. 4 and runs through Aug. 14.

Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.