The Mississippi Spring Fest and Fair wound down Sunday evening at Lincoln Civic Center the same way it began days earlier — with families, children, teens and adults enjoying rides, games, food and prizes.

What did not happen at the fair was gun violence — though it was rumored.

Apparently, rumors were shared on social media Saturday morning that a shooting might take place at the fair that afternoon, according to Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing.

LCSO deputies and Brookhaven police officers were present at the event, and nothing illegal or weapons-related occurred, Rushing said.

“Some kids were running around at the fair and having fun” by telling their friends a gun or shooter was seen, the sheriff said. “That’s the wrong kind of fun.”

The incident “created understandable panic,” Lincoln Civic Center director Quinn Jordan said.

“First and foremost, we take every situation and report seriously until reported otherwise by Brookhaven PD and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “To my knowledge, everyone is safe that attended the fair. I do know in the panic of the moment, a few people got pushed around but no reported injuries.”

The fair continued Saturday and Sunday with no further incidents.

“I can promise you we won’t let false reports paralyze our events,” said Jordan.