Gloucester fair rides are good to go, inspector says

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

If anyone's wondering whether the rides at the Gloucester County Fair are safe, Kenneth Somerset doesn't want them to worry.

He's the building official for Poquoson who inspected the rides at the fair, which runs through Sunday at Ark Park. Although there is no statewide agency that oversees ride inspections in Virginia, municipalities must inspect rides according to state guidelines.

"The state requires that every jurisdiction have a certified amusement device inspector on staff, or arrangements with another jurisdiction to come out and do an inspection," Somerset said.

Carnival rides attracted attention this summer when a ride called the Octopus broke in early July at the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department's carnival in western Virginia. Three people were dropped 15 to 20 feet into a loading dock, and a 14-year-old had a bump on his head and bruises on his stomach and arms.

Somerset said he's noticed carnival owners are quite concerned about safety - because their livelihood is at stake if something goes wrong.

Most of the rides currently in Gloucester are owned by Inners Shows of Franklinton, N.C. The company is in its 100th year.

"The ride safety part is the main thing," said Ed Inners, the owner and grandson of the company founder. "All your reputable amusement companies like to comply very, very well."

The company requires training for ride operators and has its own inspection program, he said.

Dripping with sweat in humid air Wednesday morning, Somerset inspected each ride using a checklist. Although he works for Poquoson, he was called on to inspect for Gloucester County because the county's building official was out of town.

In Virginia, kiddie rides don't need to be inspected if they have an inspection sticker within the last year from another jurisdiction. Somerset checked them anyway.

Other rides must be checked every time they are set up. Somerset checked electrical connections, the fences around the ride and the gates. The rides must be level on the ground, and all bolts and pins must be in good shape. Inspectors also check the tubs people sit in on the rides.

And with the inspector watching, the operator runs the ride at full speed and stops it quickly.

After a little coaxing, Somerset decided to get on what's classified as a "spectactular" ride - the Super Shot. He was raised on a seat 107 feet in the air, then dropped.

"When you stop, it's a very comfortable stop," he said.

All appropriate safety measures were in place for the rides, he said after the inspection.

Paul F. Koll, Gloucester County's building official, wants people to know that safety measures are in place.

"Before the show opens, before people are invited in, there's a lot of work done by our departments to make sure things are safe," he said.

This report contains information from The Associated Press.

Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com