JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Fair is sounding the alarm ahead of its 2026 event, warning food vendors about a scammer using a fraudulent email address to pose as a Fair employee.
The individual — identified in a Fair social media post only as “Narda” — has been contacting vendors using the email address info.jacksonvillefair@gmail.com. Fair officials were quick to point out that the address has no affiliation with the organization.
“‘Narda’ is posing as a JAXFAIR employee and contacting food vendors from the deeply suspicious email address: info.jacksonvillefair@gmail.com,” the Fair posted on social media.
How to spot official JAXFAIR communication
The Fair says all legitimate communications come exclusively through its official domains. Its official websites are jacksonvillefair.com and jaxfair.com, and every official email ends in @jacksonvillefair.com.
Vendors are urged not to send money, vendor fees, deposits, application payments or personal information in response to any message from the fraudulent account.
What to do if you’re contacted
The Fair outlined five steps for anyone who receives a suspicious message:
Do not respond.
Screenshot the message and report it.
Do not send money or personal information.
Report the account.
2026 JAXFAIR set for November
Despite the scam attempt, excitement continues to build for the 2026 JAXFAIR, running November 5–15.
The Fair is moving into a new venue on the Westside that includes a brand-new amphitheater, an indoor concert and expo hall, major concerts, expanded entertainment, rides and food vendors.
Fair officials say the buzz around the new venue is likely what attracted the scammer’s attention in the first place.
“You know the 2026 JAXFAIR has A LOT of buzz when the scammers start clawing for an invitation,” the Fair said in its social media post.
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