State fair rides get final safety checks before opening

Visitors headed to the Indiana State Fair should be happy to hear that every ride on the Midway has gotten a top-to-bottom inspection ahead of time.

Inspectors with the Department of Homeland Security and the Fire Marshal’s office were on site this week checking all 46 rides ahead of opening day on Friday.

The newest ride, “Vertigo,” was checked for six to eight hours since it is new to the fairgrounds. Other rides had to display annual inspection stickers and get an extra check by inspectors before being approved to ride.

“All the things that make that ride safe have to be operational and working safely,” said State Fire Marshal James Greeson.

Chief Inspector Tom Hendricks said that only minor problems had been found. Each was fixed and approved for Friday’s opening.

Hendricks reminded riders that there is a yellow sticker on each ride with a hotline number to call if they see a problem. That number is 1-888-203-5020.

Hendricks also said that if you’re worried about a ride, take safety in your own hands before you call.

“If they don’t feel like it’s safe, don’t ride it,” Hendricks said.

Last year, just one ride had to be shut down mid-fair for a broken belt. That part was fixed and ride reopened.

Under this year’s new security measures, there are no changes to ride inspections. Officials said that an inspector would be onsite at all times and rides would be randomly checked throughout the fair.