By Michael Huson, The Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS – Amusement ride safety inspectors from the Ohio Department of Agriculture labored through Monday’s 90-degree temperatures to help ensure the fairgoers’ safety through each twist, turn, dip and dive at this year’s Ohio State Fair.
READ MORE: In The Columbus Dispatch
With the 12-day-long fair opening on Wednesday, the fairgrounds at the Ohio Expo Center were abuzz with people powerwashing rides, setting up food trailers and wrangling farm animals.
Ohio State Fair: July 27-August 7, Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. Admission is $10 for ages 13-59/ $8 for ages 5-12 and 60+. Children under 5 are free.
Inspectors first arrived Wednesday, working through the heat advisory issued by National Weather Service, inching closer to their goal of completing inspections on all 76 adult and kiddie rides.
“Weather does play a factor in all of this,” said Ron Dean, an Ohio Department of Agriculture amusement ride inspector. “We’re taking care of ourselves, definitely staying hydrated, probably more breaks than what we’re used to, but the job still has to get done.
Although the heat has slowed some of the workers down, the department is confident inspections will be completed by opening day.
Governor John Kasich will president over the official fair opening ceremonies at the Cardinal Gate on 17th Avenue at 9 a.m.