Guardian angels for food and carnival rides exist — but unlike in a summer blockbuster, these guardians of the Delaware State Fair galaxy aren’t free laborers.
They’re state officials who work in the shadows so you can play and nosh safely at the 103rd State Fair, which opens Thursday and will feature 10 days of good times for all ages.
All food purveyors and amusement rides allowed to operate at the fair go through a series of inspections.
(State inspection reports for rides and food at this year’s Delaware State Fair are not yet available; this story will be updated when they we receive them.)
Dozens of food vendors and amusement rides will be on tap this summer. Some of the new nibbles include flavored wings, cannoli on an ice cream cone, and beef tips. Folks also will find vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Then there are the star food items at the fair.
“Deep-fried Oreos seems to be a big fan favorite. Kettle corn, and chicken on a stick, which Delmarva certainly is known for our poultry,” said Danny Aguilar, assistant general manager and director of marketing for the state fair.
Headed to Delaware State Fair? Chew on this
Planning to work up a big appetite attending the fair?
You can rest assured that all 60-plus food vendors must apply for a space and get a temporary food establishment permit from the state Department of Health and Social Service’s Division of Public Health.
Heather Warren, deputy section chief for the Division of Health, said every vendor receives a safety inspection.
This year, the inspections start Thursday morning and will conclude Friday morning. There will be 10 inspectors and each food vendor’s station will be examined for between 30 and 45 minutes.
Part of the inspection includes making sure the vendors have proper food-grade equipment that ensures their menu items are fit to be sold.
“[We’re] making sure that they have hand-washing facilities, soap, paper towels, and making sure that what’s on the menu is what they said that they were going to sell,” Warren said.
It’s rare that a food vendor at the State Fair doesn’t pass inspection. If it does happen, the vendor usually makes the necessary adjustment and is open for business within 24 hours of their initial inspection, she added.
Love roller coasters and Ferris wheels? Ride on
There’s a little of bit of something for everyone when it comes to the State Fair’s 40-plus carnival rides —from kiddie rides and bumper cars to gut-punching roller coasters.
There’s always long lines for carnival rides and there’s one that’s a tried-and-true favorite.
“The true tradition is the Ferris Wheel. Everyone just enjoys a nighttime picture or a sunset picture [on that ride],” Aguilar said. “We’ve got an amazing sunset that happens here at the fair.”
When it comes to inspecting the fair’s rides, Delaware’s Office of the State Fire Marshal oversees all amusement rides in the state.
The State Fair’s rides will be inspected by two fire marshals this year. The process started Wednesday and ends Thursday, said Michael Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal.
Chionchio said it’s hard to quantify how long each ride is examined because simple kiddie rides only require a few minutes for inspection, but a Ferris Wheel can take much longer. In general, it takes two eight-hour days to inspect the entire carnival section.
There are quite a few things fire marshals look for when examining the rides.
But that’s not all.
Amusement ride vendors are required to file, on an annual basis, an Amusement Ride Safety Inspection Certificate for any ride they plan to set up and use in Delaware.
“We have electrical inspectors that are approved by the state to come in and they have to submit an approval for the electrical to run the machines,” he explained. “Then we look for any kind of hazards such as any kind of tripping hazards or any kind of hazards where gates don’t open, the fences are broken.”
Along with the form, the vendors are required to submit a valid Certificate of Insurance for the company and that specific ride by including the ride on the insurance schedule.
Amusements rides also are required to be inspected within one year of use by a third-party ride inspector contracted by the amusement ride vendor and the vendor’s insurance company.
Chionchio said the third-party ride inspector signs off on the ride and provides a signed safety inspection form once the ride is approved for use.
Wade Shows Inc. is in its 24th year providing the rides at the Delaware State Fair.
Chionchio said in his 30 years of working in Delaware, the State Fair’s rides have historically been safe. One of the few amusement ride incidents he recalls over his career happened last fall at Funland in Rehoboth Beach, where three teens were injured on the Superflip 360 ride.
Rehoboth Beach police reported that the injuries were related to an air storage-tank failure near the ride. A 16-year-old boy was airlifted to Christiana Hospital with a serious head injury, police said.
Chionchio said even though it’s rare amusement rides in the state have had problems, the truth is these machines are not invincible because “they are mechanical apparatus. They have nuts and bolts.”
Most of the injuries from amusement rides aren’t because the machines are faulty, however, he said.
“Nationally, every once in a while, you’ll hear of some injuries that occur that usually has to do with the rider either fooling around or not abiding by the safety regulations and things like that,” he added.
It’s a heatwave: Make sure to stay cool out there
There’s a running joke that the State Fair is always held during the hottest two weeks of the year.
But being dehydrated isn’t funny.
The 10-day weather report predicts fairgoers will brave 94-degree heat on Thursday. There will be a high of 99 degrees on Sunday with a low of 87 degrees and showers on Tuesday.
Warren said folks can prepare for the heat by staying hydrated, finding shade and wearing appropriate clothing.
Aguilar emphasized that the State Fair has multiple buildings with air conditioning including the Dover Building, Delmarva Building, Exhibit Hall and Delaware Department of Agriculture Commodities Building.
Concerned about the farm animals? Don’t worry, the animals won’t get burned on these hot fair days.
“We have large, oversized, ceiling-mounted fans. And these are not your traditional household fans. These are almost the size of airplane propellers,” Aguilar said. “Our No. 1 goal is to have our animals, as well as our guests, in a very safe, safe environment.”
State officials praised the State Fair for the safe environment it has provided for its guests.
In fact, Chionchio is daydreaming about the fair, a place that’s all about fun and games.
“We all need at day at this point. We all need a day at the State Fair to just let go,” he said.
Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Du Pont Highway, Harrington) will be held Thursday, July 21 through Saturday, July 30. Gates are open from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday; and from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, July 22 through Saturday, July 30. Tickets for adults 13 or older are $10 (+ fees); ages 6-12 are $5 (+ fees); children 5 or younger get in free. For more information, visit delawarestatefair.com or call (302) 398-3269.
Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
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