Rides never showed up for Galax Fire Dept. annual carnival

The sign promoting the Galax Fire Department’s annual carnival still hangs over Main Street, along with the disappointment that it never happened.

“Shock,“ said Fire Chief David Hankley. “The fact we weren’t going to be able to have a carnival that we’ve had for over 60 years.“

In January, Hankley says the company they used last year said it would not return because of high gas prices.

So…they contracted with a new promoter to bring the carnival to town.

Hankley says the rides never showed up.

When he called the promoter he just got voicemail.

When he called the carnival company directly Hankley says the company didn’t know anything about a carnival in Galax.

“That’s where we’ve found out this guy misrepresented himself as being apart of that company.“

Fortunately, the demolition derby and lawn mower race still took place, but unfortunately a no show carnival was a big hit financially for the department.

The week-long event accounts for 60% of fund raising.

“Financially it’ll be a pretty significant hit, but we’re pretty resilient and our community will reach out and help us, but we’ll just have to wait and see.“