Legislation Could Have Effects On County Fair
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
But the exact regulations that could come out of this session of the Indiana legislature is unknown to those putting on such events.
Lawsuits and finger-pointing came after the Aug. 13 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair where Sugarland was set to perform.
While lawyers go back and forth attempting to pin blame after severe weather struck the fairgrounds stage in Indianapolis, there are those who plan such events who say that no amount of regulation could prevent a tragedy like the one that happened last August.
Now Indiana legislators are looking to add regulations to those putting on events in the state.
While stages and specifications for fair and concerts in Indiana are already subject to inspection and code requirements, more may be on the way.
And it may hurt fairs like Kosciusko County’s where there is no permanent stage.
Mike Loher, entertainment director for the Kosciusko County Fair, said safety is the number one priority when putting on any event.
Loher though was realistic in saying that if more regulations come down from the state, it could raise costs, which inevitably would be passed on to the general public.
Such regulations, which, barring an extension, would go into effect July 1, could include a local agency having to inspect all staging equipment before an event takes place. That is outside of all the other codes and specs stages have to face through the state fire marshal.
The problem with that for a place like Kosciusko County is that without a permanent stage, its construction would have to fit around when an additional inspection could take place.
This would limit other events the fair wanted to put on in the fairgrounds’ grandstands as well as events that needed to be put on outside the county fair.
Also, Senate Bill 273 and House Bill 1095, which both deal with staging issues, don’t have exact exemptions for smaller venues.
As for Senate Bill 273, it calls for an outdoor stage safety committee to be established.
The 12-person committee consists of legislators, fire marshal, the executive directors of the department of homeland security and other governmental designess.
Nobody who actually deals with such events in the state would sit on the committee.
All the uncertainty won’t affect this year’s county fair, which will feature rock group Theory of a Deadman and country artist Chris Young.
Loher said it does make the need for a permanent stage on the fairgrounds more necessary.
The county fair board continues to work toward that and raise money for the county fair’s 100th anniversary to be celebrated in 2016.
In fact, a fund has been created through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the 100th year of the fair.[[In-content Ad]]Those who’d like to contribute can do so by making their donations to “Kosciusko County Fair 100th Celebration Fund”.
The hope is to bring in several acts that rival some of the biggest tours countrywide.
Steve Patterson is the director of administration for the Indiana Association of Fairs, Festival and Events.
While Patterson is familiar with huge tours coming through Indiana, he is also in the dark on what pending legislation may mean.
Patterson said he is fairly certain that some version of either the house or senate bill will pass.
“There are fairs that need to know now about what sort of steps they’ll have to take,” said Patterson. “So the timing of all this is a tough thing.”
The senate bill has already passed but Patterson said his organization is more comfortable with the house bill.
Patterson spent Tuesday sitting through hearings about potential legislation.
Patterson said there is already inspection and permitting that goes on for fairs and festivals.
What fairs and festivals around the state need, Patterson said, is clarification on what this will mean for such events in the future.
But the exact regulations that could come out of this session of the Indiana legislature is unknown to those putting on such events.
Lawsuits and finger-pointing came after the Aug. 13 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair where Sugarland was set to perform.
While lawyers go back and forth attempting to pin blame after severe weather struck the fairgrounds stage in Indianapolis, there are those who plan such events who say that no amount of regulation could prevent a tragedy like the one that happened last August.
Now Indiana legislators are looking to add regulations to those putting on events in the state.
While stages and specifications for fair and concerts in Indiana are already subject to inspection and code requirements, more may be on the way.
And it may hurt fairs like Kosciusko County’s where there is no permanent stage.
Mike Loher, entertainment director for the Kosciusko County Fair, said safety is the number one priority when putting on any event.
Loher though was realistic in saying that if more regulations come down from the state, it could raise costs, which inevitably would be passed on to the general public.
Such regulations, which, barring an extension, would go into effect July 1, could include a local agency having to inspect all staging equipment before an event takes place. That is outside of all the other codes and specs stages have to face through the state fire marshal.
The problem with that for a place like Kosciusko County is that without a permanent stage, its construction would have to fit around when an additional inspection could take place.
This would limit other events the fair wanted to put on in the fairgrounds’ grandstands as well as events that needed to be put on outside the county fair.
Also, Senate Bill 273 and House Bill 1095, which both deal with staging issues, don’t have exact exemptions for smaller venues.
As for Senate Bill 273, it calls for an outdoor stage safety committee to be established.
The 12-person committee consists of legislators, fire marshal, the executive directors of the department of homeland security and other governmental designess.
Nobody who actually deals with such events in the state would sit on the committee.
All the uncertainty won’t affect this year’s county fair, which will feature rock group Theory of a Deadman and country artist Chris Young.
Loher said it does make the need for a permanent stage on the fairgrounds more necessary.
The county fair board continues to work toward that and raise money for the county fair’s 100th anniversary to be celebrated in 2016.
In fact, a fund has been created through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the 100th year of the fair.[[In-content Ad]]Those who’d like to contribute can do so by making their donations to “Kosciusko County Fair 100th Celebration Fund”.
The hope is to bring in several acts that rival some of the biggest tours countrywide.
Steve Patterson is the director of administration for the Indiana Association of Fairs, Festival and Events.
While Patterson is familiar with huge tours coming through Indiana, he is also in the dark on what pending legislation may mean.
Patterson said he is fairly certain that some version of either the house or senate bill will pass.
“There are fairs that need to know now about what sort of steps they’ll have to take,” said Patterson. “So the timing of all this is a tough thing.”
The senate bill has already passed but Patterson said his organization is more comfortable with the house bill.
Patterson spent Tuesday sitting through hearings about potential legislation.
Patterson said there is already inspection and permitting that goes on for fairs and festivals.
What fairs and festivals around the state need, Patterson said, is clarification on what this will mean for such events in the future.
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