Patrons enjoy the Downtown Fargo Street Fair Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Joe Leier/KFGO)
FARGO (KFGO) — Despite forecasted high temperatures and poor air quality, organizers for the Downtown Fargo Street Fair opted to not have medical staff on site.
Public safety officials shared that information with KFGO News. They spoke under the condition of remaining anonymous, as they were not authorized to comment. Public safety officials said having emergency medical providers on site in case of a health emergency was recommended by Fargo Police.
Against that advice, sources said event organizers chose to not place medical staff on site. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the upper 80’s and low 90’s throughout the event. Air quality is also a health concern, as wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota moves into the region. The U.S. Air Quality Index reported smoke levels were considered unhealthy in Fargo Thursday afternoon.
A public safety official told KFGO News that if a medical emergency were to happen, Fargo Fire and Sanford Ambulance would respond as they would to any other call, which would be slower than having staff already on site. They added that safety barriers installed for the event would slow an ambulance’s response. Police officers and private security are present at the event, and can respond to medical emergencies, but are not equipped to handle heat-related illnesses like paramedics or EMTs would be.
To help prevent heat-related illnesses, some booths offered fairgoers free water. A misting tent is also set up near Broadway Square.
Downtown Community Partnership, the street fair’s organizer, has not responded to requests for comment.
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