INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Inspectors checked more than 50 rides Thursday afternoon at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to prepare for the fair’s opening Friday morning.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security lead inspector, Mike Gann, manages a crew of 10 to 12 people. The team ensures each attraction meets 100% of the safety requirements before the public arrives.
“We’ll come out before the rides open and start running them,” Gann said. “We do a walk-through of every ride. We’re going to check fencing, safety signage, all the typical things you would want to have in place before someone accesses a ride.”
The inspection process includes daily checks, a group meeting at 2 p.m. every day, and constant monitoring of each ride’s condition. Gann said each walk-through typically covers 30 specific points of inspection.
To maintain accuracy, the department limits crew members to three ride inspections per day. Each ride must also have manufacturer documents that match the current maintenance schedule.
The 2026 Indiana State Fair runs from Friday through Aug. 23, and is closed on Mondays. General admission at the gate is $18 and parking is $10 per vehicle, though children age 5 and under are free.
