Playing it safe at the Jefferson Co. Fair

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) The county fair is always a good time for entertainment, food, and of course rides, but with all that fun how do you make sure you’re safe. Many of your fair favorites have to pass inspections before you get the chance to them.

Soon after the rides roll in to the Jefferson County Fair workers have to start building them.

"Tightening screws, bolts and make sure everything is up to par"

, fair Vice President Ricky Taylor said.

He says once construction is complete then it’s time for inspections.

"They’re making sure that the rides are in code,"

Taylor said.

"Once everything is completed, then their inspector will go back and check before we open."

Taylor said once the company, James Gang Amusements has done their inspection the state comes to check too. He said they’ve stayed with the same ride company for more than 20 years because of their accident free record.

"You take a chance on anywhere you go, even Dollywood, or any amusement park,"

Taylor said.

"We’ve been fortunate and so has this company not to have any incidents like that."

Rides aren’t the only thing under the microscope so are food vendors like Sam Thompson with Hillbilly Concessions. He said the Jefferson County Health Department is strict when it comes to your safety.

"They make sure that you’re in compliance as far as your food handling practices, cleanliness, wash up area the whole 9 yards,"

Thompson said.

"They either permit you or they don’t. If they don’t permit you, then you’ve got a period of time to get it right, and they’ll look at you again."

He said at the end of the day their goal is to make sure your fair experience is memorable for all the right reasons.

"The last thing we want to do is serve someone bad food, and cause them to get sick,"

Thompson said.