Officials Make Ride Safety Inspections Ahead Of Tulsa State Fair

The Tulsa State Fair starts Thursday, Sept. 29, and the Oklahoma Department of Labor has spent days trying to make sure the rides are all safe.

There are 65 rides that inspectors must check. State Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn and Chief Ride Inspector Allen McElyea are making sure each ride is up to standards.

“We have been here on the ground as they were unloading the rides and made sure all the mechanics and specifications were right and that everything is put together so that we can ensure safety for Oklahomans,” Osborn said.

McElyea and the other inspectors plan to be back everyday to check on the rides during the fair.

“We will have at least one inspector out here the whole time while the fair is going on, and we will watch to make sure the operators are doing what they’re supposed to do,” McElyea said.

Crews with North American Midway Entertainment are scattered throughout the fairgrounds, working to set up the rides.

Scooter Korek with North American Entertainment said the ride conductors will complete their own inspections.

“Every one of our rides is a different set up and every single one has a specific check list for ride safety that we have to go through on a daily basis,” Korek said.

The State Fair opens Thursday for 11 days of awesome.