Fair readies to open as rides go up
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on September 27, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Flags wave off the top of the Vertigo as employees of Powers Great American Midways set up rides so they can be inspected at the Wayne County Fairgrounds Tuesday in preparation for Thursday's opening night.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Some rides, like the European Circus Train, can take two years to assemble and deliver after it is ordered. It is one of the new rides that Powers Great American Midways expects to draw children at the Wayne County Agricultural Fair this year.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
The European Circus Train is one ride that is expected to attract the attention of children, but there are other larger high-flying, gravity-defying rides that will be available to enjoy at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair.
When the rides are all set up and the gates open at the Wayne County Regional Agricultural Fair Thursday, Marc Janas will be able to relax.
But only a bit and not for very long.
Janas, general manager of Powers Great American Midways, has been working for days with a team of around 300 to get the fair's rides up and running in time. On Tuesday, he walked around the grounds as workers put the finishing touches on rides and the N.C. Department of Labor conducted safety inspections of every ride. Safety is the number one priority for both DOL and Powers ---- if the rides do not score a 100 percent in every category during their inspections, they are not cleared to run.
"We always say that safety and fun go hand in hand," Janas said. "Those are our number one and number two priorities."
This year, Powers brought around 42 rides to the fair. From low-intensity options for children to high-flying, gravity-defying thrill rides, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Among the larger rides this year are five new attractions which Powers had imported from Europe. These include the F-5, a rotating pendulum which dangles riders from a series of arms, and the Air Raid, a huge spinning arm which lifts riders 118 feet into the air on seats which rock back and forth the entire time.
Of course, the most recognizable ride at any fair is the Ferris wheel, and this year's event features a custom-made, 103-foot-tall contraption capable of carrying around 100 people simultaneously.
"This was the top-ridden ride at last year's fair, as well as the state fair," Janas said. "It's a great place to meet up with your friends or family, and it's also a great selfie spot."
Other rides include '50s-themed bumper cars, flying scooters which give the riders a degree of control while riding and the Wheel of Fire, a roller coaster which rides a single, 360-degree track in a loop.
Janas said that, once all of the rides have been cleared to operate and the riders start coming in, he can take a relieved breath. However, even after the work has been done, Janas will still be walking around the fair every day to check up on things and make sure it is all going according to plan.
"It doesn't really stop, it doesn't really slow down," he said with a grin.
"But we hope everybody comes out, because we've got something for everybody."