By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — The 183rd Cattaraugus County Fair wrapped up Saturday night with a midway ride malfunction that stranded 15 riders until they could be rescued by volunteer firefighters using a ladder truck.
The swing ride failed to lower as it slowed to a stop about 50 feet in the air about 9:45 p.m. It would not be an easy fix, midway workers told county fair officials.
Firefighters from Little Valley and Ellicottville responded with ladder trucks capable of reaching the stranded riders.
Some fairgoers posted a video of the stranded riders being rescued on Tik-Tok. There were no injuries reported.
“Thank you to all the first responders who responded quickly tonight as we closed out the fair,” a statement by fair officials late Saturday stated. “Everyone is safe and sound.”
Other than the ride malfunction, Fair Manager, Kristina Charlesworth Golden said that “while attendance figures are still being tabulated, they appear to be on par with last year’s first ever eight-day event.”
Charlesworth said, “Animal entries were many, proving that the cattle and beef departments continue to grow. While some 4-H members are aging out of their clubs, there are many young cloverbud members joining to take their place. Domestic entries were up as well, with many exhibitors taking advantage of the on-line entry system.”
Very warm temperatures in the beginning of the week was followed by rain midweek, fair officials said. Cooler temperatures and sunshine were welcoming at the end of the week.
All grandstand shows went on as planned, with a nearly sold-out grandstand on Friday for the monster truck show. Country singer-songwriter Tracy Byrd and Flatland Cavalry headlined country music shows Tuesday and Wednesday nights in front of the grandstand.
Adjustments to the times for the daily horse, dairy, and livestock shows, that were put in place last season, continued this year.
The Fair also brought back the Amusements of America midway company. Saturday’s annual 4-H Market Sale started earlier in the day, encouraging those who attended to stay at the fair a little longer.
Joining the fair for the week was a new grounds act, Mobile Glass Studio. Visitors enjoyed watching the glass-blowing artist create works of art in real time. Items were sold during the week, as well as auctioned off during the market sale.
Some of the most popular shows returned again, including Pratt Family chainsaw artists, Sea Lion Splash, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, and the Magic of Lance Gifford.
The Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society, owner/operator of the Fair, thanked “our many exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, and especially the visitors from all across Western New York who stopped in this year.”
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