SO LONG, SKY RIDE

With the approaching ses-quicentennial, some big changes are in store for the state fairgrounds. One of those changes, however, is not the addition of a new facility or a cosmetic uplift, it’s the removal of a large albatross: the once awe-inspiring Swiss Sky Ride.

The ride lost its glory in 1979 when it came off its cable and crashed in the middle of the state fair midway – killing one person, crippling another and injuring several more. After several years of idleness, the ride is for sale. In May, the courts released the sky ride to the state because all of the lawsuits involving the accident were finally settled. A $245,000 final settlement was divided among the 36 people who sued the fair, the manufacturer of the ride and the company that operated the ride at the time of the crash.

Shortly after the settlement, officials from Mexico City considered purchasing the ride. According to Wayne Gallagher, fair general manager, the price discussed with Mexico City was fairly reasonable -somewhere in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. (The State Fair paid $300,000 for the ride in 1971.) But despite local rumors, the deal with Mexico City fell through in its early negotiations, and the skyride is still up for grabs.

The ride is still standing on the fairgrounds. Gallagher says that it is in the way of redevelopment of the area, but officials want to keep it standing as long as possible since it’s easier to sell when assembled.

But after this year’s fair in October, Gallagher says that – sale or no sale -the ride will probably be removed from the park.