JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Corn dogs, funnel cakes and carnival rides mean it’s fair season in Arkansas.
Hundreds of rides have already been inspected this week alone by the Arkansas Department of Labor in what they call an “active fair season.”
Across the state, fairs are opening and getting ready for thousands of people to come and enjoy what they have to offer.
One of them was the Greene County Fair, which opened its doors earlier this week.
Before the Ferris wheel lights up and children’s screams fill the air, carnival managers and ride operators are at work setting up each ride.
But how safe are the rides once they’re up and running?
State inspectors inspect every ride before anyone sets foot on the platform.
The Amusement Travel and Amusement Attractions Insurance Act states as follows:
“All portable amusement rides or attractions shall be inspected by the Director or any officer of the Department designated by the Director whenever they are moved to a new location in Arkansas and before they are permitted to begin operation or open to the public.”
“In Arkansas, the law requires that all mobile carnivals, meaning the amusement ride entities that are there, be inspected every time they move to a new location,” said Ralph Hudson, director of the Arkansas Department of Labor.
Because of this rule, about 400 inspections were carried out in just one week.
Hudson said some rides are inspected twice a week as they move from carnival to carnival.
He explained that during the process, inspectors look at a number of physical aspects of the rides.
“It allows our inspectors to get a good look at them, make sure they’re safe,” Hudson said. “Check the plumbing, check the welds, check the chains that hold the rockers.”
They also look at past and present data from ride owners.
“We also check maintenance records, make sure they have an active insurance policy, we make sure any non-destructive testing required by the manufacturer is completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and requirements,” Hudson said.
Fair Manager Dennis Hammon has worked with the Greene County Fair for 30 years.
He said knowing about the inspections gives him a piece of mind going into fair week.
“One of my biggest deals was that every time I got on one, I’d ask to see what it was, but everything was fine and people knew it had been inspected,” he explained.
According to amusement ride inspection reports obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, the Greene County Fair had 17 total rides between the two companies. Inspections on those trips took place on September 5.
“It’s not uncommon for us to say that the ride can’t work until you fix it and until you’ve repaired a belt or a seat belt is properly attached,” Hudson said.
PBJ Happee Day Shows hosted a ride: “The Gravitation.” The inspection report showed that there were no violations with that ride during the inspection.
Sonshine Amusements erected 16 rides at the Greene County Fair. The ride called “Round Up” had a problem.
The report stated, “The ride/ride had stairs, walkways and/or platforms which posed a hazard in that the access steps needed to be adjusted for the safety of the customer entering the ride.”
He also stated that the issue was rectified on site and the report was closed with the trip compliant, making it possible to open to customers.
If a trip is taken before permission is granted, owners are subject to a cease and desist. There may also be a fine of not more than $10,000.
Hudson said if you see a ride with something on a ride that makes you feel uncomfortable riding it, tell your ride operator right away.
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