The Kendall County Fair plans to reopen on August 29 amid safety concerns following last year’s fatal bleacher collapse.
BOERNE, Texas — One person was killed and eleven others were injured almost a year ago this week at the Kendall County Fair.
In March, a report went out detailing how bleachers at the fair collapsed, killing 79-year-old Vera Smith.
The fair is set to return on August 29, and with it, there are concerns from those who were in the collapse.
People involved in the bleacher collapse last year have concerns, telling KENS 5 there hasn’t been enough clarity regarding safety for the upcoming fair.
We reached out to those in charge, who say provisions are in place to ensure the bleachers being set up are safe.
On Monday, welding was being done at the Kendall County fairgrounds.
The city of Boerne told KENS 5 that Monday night, the Kendall County Fair Association will rebuild the platform that partially collapsed last year.
One of the victims caught in the collapse told me off camera that the Kendall County Fair Association will not answer any of his questions.
The city of Boerne sent KENS 5 this statement:
“As part of the permitting process for the Kendall County Fair, all bleachers are required to be inspected and be in compliance with the International Code Council (ICC) 300 Standards for Bleachers and Telescopic Seating and Grandstands.
This includes the platform that partially collapsed last year and is being rebuilt. The fair will not be permitted to allow people on that structure until it passes inspection.
Additionally, the Carnivals and Fairs permit will need to be issued. The Fire Marshal’s Office has not conducted that inspection yet. It will be inspected once the food trucks and rides that are brought in as part of the fair are assembled and in place.”
Last year, after the August 31 collapse, an independent structural engineer found the structural connection to be “insufficient.”
It was also found that the area of refurbished bleachers should have been inspected in the days leading up to the collapse – but Boerne officials said it was not.
At this time, there is ongoing litigation from multiple parties against the association.
KENS 5 also reached out to the Kendall County Fair Association but they have yet to respond.