NCDOL at opening ceremony at Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair

N.C. Department of Labor officials will be on hand at the opening ceremony for the Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair at 5 p.m. on Sept. 29 to announce the progress and status of the ride inspection process.

Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry and NCDOL staff will speak about the inspection process, status of the rides and other relevant information about steps to ensure the safety of all rides at the fair.

Commissioner Berry will present the Pitt County Fair with a certificate and a flag for its participation as a fair partner in the Safety Amusement Star Program. The Pitt County Fair will be recognized for its efforts to promote rider safety.

Labor officials will arrive at the fairgrounds one day prior to opening to begin the inspection process of the amusement rides. North Carolina is one of only two states in the nation that require rides to be 100 percent to the manufacturer’s specifications before the ride is approved.

Quick Look at Fair Facts

• Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair will receive a certificate of partnership and flag from the N.C. Department of Labor for the 2008 season. The partnership promotes safety along the midway.

• Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry will be at the Pitt County Fair at 5 p.m. for the opening ceremony.

• As one of North Carolina’s county fairs, the Pitt County American Legion Agricultural Fair has been in operation since 1920. Originally founded by the Pitt County Fair Association, it is now operated by American Legion posts in Greenville, Farmville and Ayden. Covering 51 acres of land, the fair is located off of the Highway 264 East in Greenville. At least 10 free entertainment shows are presented each year. The fair presents a yester-year village, rated as one of the best of its kind. The village buildings were built in 1978 and include a church and school.

• Playworld Amusements will assemble about 34 amusement rides in preparation for the riders who will visit the fair.

• Six NCDOL Elevator and Amusement Device inspectors are responsible for inspecting all rides prior to the opening of the fair.

• All amusement rides are inspected and will display certificates of inspection prior to the opening of the fair.

• Each amusement ride must meet the manufacturer’s specifications 100 percent before the ride is certified.

• Ride safety inspectors are busy throughout the year, assuring fair patrons of safe rides when they visit local fairs, carnivals and festivals. Last year NCDOL inspected more than 5,000 rides across the state.

• Playworld Amusements will feature the following rides this year—the Wiggle Worm, Quads, Himalaya, Skyquest Swings, Speedway, Rainbow Rock, Wacky Worm, Sizzler, Cliff Hanger, Elephants, Circus Train, Crystal Lil’s Zero Gravity, Pharaoh’s Fury, Helicopters, Gondola Wheel, Zipper, Freak Out, Orbiter, Fun Slide, Hampton Combo, Rock Climb, Euro Bungy, Dizzy Dragon, Fire Chief, Dragon Wagon, Super Shot, Scooters, Fire Ball, Tubs of Fun, Fire House, Hampton Cycles and Musical Chairs.