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08/20/2006: "Fair Rides Go Down, No Refunds"

( Thalya Harvey and son Corbin ask for refund)

Children -who paid $15.00 for a bracelet that would allow them unlimited rides at the Fair until 5 p.m.- were disappointed Saturday, when a series of brake-downs of three of the mechanical rides resulted in little to do, disappointment, and then some anger and frustration from adults when their children were refused re-funds. Thalya Harvey and son Corbin told the Guardian that they waited for two hours for a ride, and after giving up they asked for a refund and were told "We don't give refunds".

(Photo: "Cork Man", on display at the Trash To Treasures booth)
Other adults heard about the problem from of the children. Some of them went over to the ticket booth and confronted the operators, demanding that some refunds be made, or at least the deadline of five o'clock be extended for the use of the tickets so that if the rides could be started again, any of the kids willing to hang around could still use their passes. This also was refused.

Scott Bell was one those involved, in what was starting to become a heated conversation, when Fair Board members showed up, and according to Bell, told him he was out of line and had to leave the Fair Grounds. Bell said he told the Fair Board representatives that "While you're standing here lecturing me, they are right now continuing to sell $15.00 bracelets for rides that are not working. How about directing some of that advise on them!".

This was just before Bell was to start another round of the locally famous zucchini Races that he runs, so with the head Zucchini now thrown off of the Fairgrounds, the problem for the kids was about to go from bad to worst. Bell said about this time Fair Board member Sharon Kivisto turned things around by telling the Fair Office that no Mr. Bell, means no more Zucchini races. Bell said she put things back into perspective, and it was decided that Bell did not have to leave, the Races could continue, and the deadline for the use of the $15.00 bracelets would be extended to 8 pm. Back to having fun at the Fair.


Two kids that found some rides at the Fair are free.