After ride accident, Buchanan Carnival still draws a crowd

The Octopus ride at the Buchanan Carnival was hauled away moments after the event opened on Tuesday evening. The ticket booth still drew a crowd and people there seemed to have no problem with the accident. This has been a pastime for years.

“It means a lot because we look forward to it every year. And the kids they have a really good time, and it’s a good family activity,” said Melissa Frazier.

Edith Petty was also there with friends.

“Well I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” she said.

While the kids played with the animals and rode the rides, Randy Roach, the owner of Magic Midway was in his office.  I caught up with him to get some answers - for example, where these rides came from, if they’ve had any problems in the past, and the insurance they need to have as a company, but when I approached him, he walked off.

Firefighter, Marty Rickman, who helps organize the event, said they do not do background checks to see if the carnival has any similar problems in the past. He did say they require a certificate of insurance and have the rides inspected.

It’s something these fair-goers have narrowed down to a freak accident.

After several internet searches, we found Magic Midway is out of Georgia. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, carnivals there require one million dollars in insurance and rides are inspected at the first ‘set-up’ each year.