CENTERBURG – The Heart of Ohio USA Days Association says it plans to substitute inflatables for the amusement park rides after a dispute with the ride vendor.
Candy McCracken with the festival said in a press release the negotiations fell apart when the vendor, Albanese Amusements, couldn't agree on the price for the rides, the number of rides and the availability of food trucks.
Since other ride vendors were already booked, the festival chose to substitute inflatables for the rides.
"We have eight attractions, and it will still be free of cost all three days for all," McCracken said.
Some inflatables are suitable for younger children: a five-in-one Carnival Bounce Slide Combo, a Farm Yard Combo Bounce and Spidey (Spiderman) and his Friends Playground Combo (this has a large playground inside).
Older kids, teens and adults can enjoy the Star Wars Obstacle Course, a 21-foot-high Uncle Sam’s slide, the four-way Tricky Basketball Game, the Human Foosball Game and The Velcro Wall.
"This is a wall covered with Velcro, and you don an attracting jumpsuit," McCracken said in the release. "Then when you run and bounce up onto the wall you stick. This one should be fun to watch as well."
Although the festival has hired a professional to set up and manage the attractions, volunteers are needed. The inflatables can't be used unless they are manned.
"If you help us out for a few hours, it would be awesome," McCracken said. "We are a community, and we can do this. We are also encouraging any local organizations or groups to come up with some carnival-type games and have a fundraiser out of it. The more activities we can have, the better. We are looking into a few other things as well."
McCracken said she and the other festival association members understand the community could be disappointed in not having rides.
"This certainly was not our intention, but when you get lemons, you make lemonade," she said. "This honestly looks like the kids and teens will enjoy these items, and it will keep them entertained. And we are excited to have something new and different this year and still make it a fun experience for all. Please bear in mind that this was certainly not planned, but we invite you to give it a try. Remember, it costs you nothing, so come every day. As always, free admission, free shuttle from the high school, free great entertainment, free carnival, and the usual parade, fair food, Diaper Derby, Princess Party, kids state-sanctioned tractor pull, Cruise-In, over 50 crafters and fireworks."
The Centerburg Heart of USA Days Festival runs from June 22-24 at the Memorial Park in Centerburg. To volunteer or help support the events, send a message via the group's website at https://heartofohiousa.com/contact.
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