Indiana State Fair Tragedy

[jdstamper]

A few thoughts about the tragic accident at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday night, when strong winds caused a stage collapse, killing 5 people and injuring many others. This was just after Sara Bareilles played, and just before Sugarland. One of the fatalities lived in our city, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, as well as the other victims.

We always look forward to attending the Indiana State Fair each year for one of the concerts. We go early and spend a few hours walking through the timeless state fair, ending up with a chocolate soda at the old drugstore / soda fountain just before the concert. In this great setting, we've seen incredible acts ... Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Pickler, Jason Aldean, Garrison Keillor, and others.

I understand the Beatles played there in 1964. My own concert memories go back to seeing Glen Campbell play there when I was a kid, probably the first concert I ever saw. These days the featured concerts are on the big outdoor stage in the middle of a race track. While you take in the concert, you can see most of the fair going on across the infield behind the concert and on both sides. You watch the sun going down over the lights of the ferris wheel and other rides. For awhile my attention gets split between the show and the usually picture perfect big red sunset.

We almost went to the Sugarland concert this year, but instead opted for Lady Antebellum coming up on Friday (still TBD whether this concert will happen, perhaps in another venue). We were shocked to hear about the accident. Many state fairs are not what they used to be. But the Indiana fair is possibly better than ever, up until this year. I hope it will still be there for many years, and the unique experience of their outdoor concerts will return in future years.

Thanks, Jim

[t4mh]

Hi Jim, being Hoosiers, we are also dismayed by this catastrophe and our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were killed or injured. We have not attended the fair this year and now we probably won't go at all as I don't think we would enjoy it after this incident.

Incidentally, we live just 30 minutes west of Indianapolis and this particular storm passed over us on its way to the fair. Quite extreme wind, though short lived, for this part of the country followed by a period of heavy rain. I haven't heard of any damage in this area. Regardless, I was glad I was home when it hit.

Thanks for starting this thread!
Keith

[mojobone]

Ditto, the above posts, on the thoughts and prayers. I've posted elsewhere, on what can usefully be gleaned from the tragedy; I have nothing further.

[jdstamper]

Thanks Mojo. I didn't reallize there was another thread. I agree with your posting there, it's too soon to blame anyone.

Last night I was reading that Sugarland was ready to walk on the stage, but one of their managers felt something wasn't quite right and told them to hold up just before the wind gust, possibly saving their lives. It sounds like it was still a close call for them, as they were still in the wings when everything collapsed around them.

Jim

[mojobone]

Their manager was interviewed on CNN and was obviously still shaken, many hours after the incident; she had little to offer, beyond the usual thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families. I do have one other comment; I'm proud (justifiably, I think) of the way the crowd responded immediately after the incident, though not in the least surprised. I've witnessed that sort of behavior from fellow hoosiers time and again, starting about 1973 when a tornado tore half my neighbor's roof off. She was elderly, lived alone and in our little town of Chalmers, everybody, of course, knew it. There were half a dozen neighbors up on her roof nailing in new shingles not an hour after the storm passed. Maybe this is why we hoosiers talk about the weather so much; in our country way, we recognize that it's the only thing that ever changes, human nature never does.

[jdstamper]

Also Kudos to Conseco field house, Train, Maroon 5 and concert volunteers for donating the proceeds of their Indiana State Fair concert to the victims.

Kudos to Sugarland, now planning for a future memorial.

A fund has been set up to benefit the victims: https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/def ... ?wid=45427

[theoldman]

All--

Terrible tragedy. Our prayers go out to everyone involved. It's such a great fair to attend.

Jim--
I too have fond memories...I was at the Beatles concert in 1964. 4th row center. So many years ago and my stomach still flips when I think about it.

JT

[anne]

I'm proud (justifiably, I think) of the way the crowd responded immediately after the incident,

The response from the crowd was amazing and you should be proud.

I don't think there is one point to blame either. In my thread, I was referring to the increased frequency of these types of accidents and what we've seen on the road.