Fairgrounds Fun Park with rides, ‘midway foods’ coming to Indiana State Fairgrounds
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — If you’re looking for a fried Oreo or to ride the Ferris wheel, that can still happen despite the summer of coronavirus.
The State Fairgrounds is hosting Fairgrounds Fun Park, which will focus on the rides and the food. The event will be put on by the same vendor that for years has had the contract for the State Fair, which has been canceled for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
North American Midway Entertainment announced Fairgrounds Fun Park will be at the fairgrounds from July 31 to Sept. 7. The Fun Park will have a few more rides than the annual fair. The event will open at noon and stop admitting guests at 9 p.m. It will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except for Labor Day. Games, rides and “midway foods” will all be present.
Fairgoers like Jeff Wintrode are excited. “That’s wonderful.”
But, Steven Hanson thinks it’s a bad idea: “Asinine.”
“Concerning the state of the country, it’s not a good idea,” Hanson added, pointing out that other states are seeing record numbers of coronavirus cases. “Unless they have CDC personnel cleaning the rides, I wouldn’t get on one.”
Justin Dabney added, “At least they’re doing something.”
For folks like Dabney, the fair holds lots of memories. “My granddad,” he said. “He passed in 2014, and it was his favorite place to go.”
“It’s going to be happy memories, not sad ones,” Dabney said.
Wintrode has been coming for 50 years. “I try to take my kids every year,” Wintrode said and then laughed. “I like the food, of course, given the physique I’m sporting.”
Wintrode said the carnival is a chance to bring a little normalcy back. “I like seeing the animals so it will be a little lacking for what I’m used to, but it will still be fun.”
The plan is to turn Main Street, the street in front of Indiana Farmers Coliseum, into the Fairgrounds Fun Park. Indiana-based company North American Midway Entertainment, or NAME, notes the opening date will be almost four weeks after the state has fully reopened.
NAME spokeswoman Alicia Thomas said. “People are just looking forward for something to do, something fun, something exciting, something to enjoy with their family and their friends.”
Guests are recommended to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
Thomas said he and employees will have to wear a mask as well as clean each ride after each guest gets off. Thomas said this is no different than other events the Fairgrounds hosts throughout the years.
“Safety is our No.1 priority,” she said.
A fairgrounds spokesperson declined to comment on the Fun Park.
North American Midway Entertainment says “COVID-19 procedures” will also include contactless payment options, plexiglass shields to protect food items, and hand sanitizing stations throughout the area.
“We are mindful of the current pandemic and will adhere to state and local guidelines and practices to ensure the safety of all guests, staff, and vendors,” NAME CEO Danny Huston said in a statement.