Same Carnival Operator At Overton, Putnam Fair

The same carnival provides rides and amusements for the Overton and Putnam County fairs.

Putnam County Fair President John Allen said James Gang Amusements employs an inspector to check each ride each day.

Overton County Fair Secretary Bob Matthews said safety is a priority in his county.

“We stay in contact with the guys that own the carnival, we talk to them every day, we’ve done that every year, discuss safety and different issues like that,” Matthews said.

That’s many more inspections than the state requires. State Department of Labor and Workforce Development spokesman Chris Cannon says the state requires carnival rides to be inspected each year. Carnival operators must show each ride has been inspected within three months of applying for their permit to operate within Tennessee’s borders.

The Overton County Fair ends Sunday. James Gang Amusements will pack up and move to the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

“We’re beyond ready, we could start yesterday if the carnival was here, we’re waiting on the carnival, they’re in Overton County right now,” Allen said.

That fair will open Thursday, Aug. 3.