The Antelope Valley Fair can seem a little low-key before gates open at 4:00 p.m. But a behind-the-scenes look reveals there's plenty going on to ensure ride safety and guest security.
"We have a lot of people on the grounds, a lot of eyes and ears, a lot of radios," said Tim Palen, the head of security at the fair. "So we want them to know when they come through the gates, this is a safe haven."
Fair officials are ensuring that safety extends from the grounds to the attractions. A deadly accident involving a ride called the Fire Ball at the Ohio State Fair this summer has fairs everywhere taking added precautions.
The Antelope Valley Fair has a similar ride called G Force. "But it's a later generation," Antelope Valley Fair General Manager Dan Jacobs said. "It was constructed eight years after that ride, so it's different. As a precaution, they took it out of service when it was in Orange County and they x-rayed the metal."
"They did all kinds of inspections on it," Jacobs continued. "They put it back in service with five days remaining on the Orange County Fair, and then they brought it here."
The Antelope Valley Fair also hired an inspection company and had the fire department look at G Force. Plus, fair officials said their carnival operator, Ray Cammack Shows, performs ongoing inspections on all their rides.
"It's very important to check everything right before it's time," ride operator Cervando Merando said. "It's for safety, the customer. We don't want an incident."
Merando is a 17-year veteran of ride operation. He said he inspects rides during the day and before the fair opens.
While there's lots going on behind-the-scenes before people arrive, it's definitely more fun once the gates open. That happens every day, 4:00 p.m. to midnight until August 28.
If you are planning a trip to the Antelope Valley Fair, information on prohibited activities is contained in the fair's "Code of Conduct," available at www.avfair.com/about-us/