A memorial to the seven killed in the Aug. 13, 2011 stage collapse during a Sugarland concert at the Indiana State Fair, goes virtually unnoticed by fair visitors on opening day of the 2012 run of the State Fair in Indianapolis, Aug. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
A memorial to the seven killed in the Aug. 13, 2011 stage collapse during a Sugarland concert at the Indiana State Fair, goes virtually unnoticed by fair visitors on opening day of the 2012 run of the State Fair in Indianapolis, Aug. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
In this Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 photo, preparations are ongoing for the opening of the Indiana State Fair at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, in Indianapolis. The Indiana State Fair opens Friday with many changes after last year's deadly stage collapse and hopes of promoting healing as organizers try to move beyond the shadow of the collapse. But there will be many changes _ no concerts at the grandstand, higher ticket prices, paid parking that once was free. Fair officials say there are new offerings too, including more concerts on a newly regulated free stage. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Rob Goebel ) NO SALES
A visitor to the Indiana State Fair on opening day sends a text on his phone beside the memorial to the seven killed in the Aug. 13, 2011 stage collapse during a Sugarland concert at the fair in Indianapolis, Aug. 3, 2012. The memorial was virtually unnoticed by fair visitors. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Sam Coffman cools off with a drink as he works late to get his elephant ear stand ready for the opening of the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 1, 2012 fair at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Rob Goebel ) NO SALES
Preperation for the opening of the Indiana State Fair were on going Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2012 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Rob Goebel ) NO SALES
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ? Grief over a deadly stage collapse gave way to excitement over animal exhibits and deep-fried bubblegum Friday as thousands of people poured into an Indiana State Fair trying to bounce back from its most trying year.
Visitors bustled from rides to food stands, with only a few pausing to read the seven names inscribed on a plaque that serves as a memorial to those killed last August while waiting for the country duo Sugarland to perform.
The strong early attendance was a good sign for fair officials who hope this year's event will help heal emotions and put the fair back on sound financial footing. Revenue and attendance plummeted last year after the stage collapse, and many questioned whether the event often likened to a family reunion would ever be the same.
Deanna Phipps, 35, of Kokomo, Ind., went to the fair with her husband, Les, to watch their 14-year-old daughter march in the Kokomo High School color guard. She stopped at the memorial to the victims but clearly was ready to move on.
"I think they did the best they could," Phipps said of fair officials. "You would never think that (such an accident) would happen."
The Aug. 31, 2011, collapse occurred when high winds sent stage rigging plunging onto fans awaiting the Sugarland concert. The deaths and dozens of injuries sparked months of investigations and lawsuits amid questions about why the show wasn't canceled or postponed. Fair officials made big changes to their safety procedures and changed the organization's management structure. Lawmakers passed a bill requiring state inspections of such temporary structures.
Some fair visitors, however, said concertgoers shouldn't have counted on officials to tell them when it wasn't safe to stay.
"People just need to use common sense," said Verlena Jones, 82, of Monticello, Ind., who came to the fair with her husband John, 76. "If it looks like it's going to storm, get the heck out of there."
But even fairgoers focused on moving forward will feel the impact of last year's collapse.
Ticket prices are up and a new parking fee has been implemented as officials try to make up the losses from last year, when they had to cancel several big concerts and close for a day. Attendance was down 8 percent from 2010, and the fair's overall revenue fell from $11.9 million in 2010 to $8.38 million in 2011.
This year's headline concerts, which include performances by Barry Manilow, Train and Blake Shelton, have been moved to Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. That means huge crowds of people ? and the money they'd typically spend at the fair ? may never make it to the fairgrounds.
Fair organizers hope to offset that impact by promoting discounted tickets and offering concertgoers who attend the downtown shows free admission on any day of the 17-day fair.
Officials also are increasing the number of free shows on a permanent stage, where acts like REO Speedwagon and MC Hammer will perform. The grandstand will offer more thrill-based entertainment, like motorcycle races, tractor pulls and monster truck rallies.
Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission, described this year's even as one of "healing," but she also said the victims of the collapse won't be forgotten.
A moment of silence is planned for 8:46 p.m. Aug. 13, the anniversary of the collapse. Amusement rides, games and concession stands will come to a halt, perhaps for as long as five minutes.
Ashley Gregory, 21, of Danville, Ind., who was in the grandstand at last year's Sugarland concert but wasn't injured, said the fair "feels different" this year but she couldn't stay away.
"I love the state fair. I'll always come back to the support the fair," said Gregory, who paused to reflect by the plaque honoring those killed.
___
Associated Press writer Tom LoBianco contributed to this story.
___
Follow Charles Wilson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlesDWilson
Associated Pressjeff dunham young guns concord safe and sound botticelli x factor winner footlocker
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.