Christian rock group Building 429's equipment was destroyed during a strong storm at the Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma City
A strong storm injured three employees and destroyed the equipment of Christian rock outfit Building 429 before damaging a number of temporary structures during the Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma City, which saw attendance remain exactly on par with last year’s 900,000.
Now the band is on the hook for the damaged equipment after fair organizers argued the microburst of rain that hit on Tuesday evening and damaged some booths and exhibits and hurt three employees, was beyond the control of the staff.
“It was an act of God, so it’s not necessarily our responsibility,” said Scott Munz, fair vice president of marketing and public relations, who doesn't expect the fair to receive any insurance claims. “We’re waiting to hear.”
In addition to lightning warnings on four separate evenings – the opening Thursday, Friday afternoon, Monday and Tuesday evenings of the Sept. 12-22 fair – the storm forced the act to cancel its free concert on the Chickasaw Entertainment Stage.
“We had similar weather issues as last year, and they may have been even more severe this year,” said Munz.
In addition to the band equipment, a roasted corn stand was blown apart, but workers were able to work through the night and have the concession put back together in order to open again the next day.
“It was quite an achievement on their part,” Munz said.
This was the third year the fair has hired two meteorologists to monitor weather from the grounds. The meteorologists first worked the 2011 fair, coincidentally in the wake of the microburst that caused a stage collapse and seven deaths and 58 injuries at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, a month prior to that year’s Oklahoma State Fair. The Indiana incident happened just as country duo Sugarland was preparing to take the stage for a concert.
“Sugarland happened in August and we were contracted for September,” Munz said. “Sugarland happened first, but we had contracted them prior to the Sugarland incident.”
Because the concert was free with the price of admission, fair officials did not have to worry about any ticket reimbursements. After the storm cleared, the sun came out and most of the fair went on as scheduled, except for the Great American Petting Zoo which also sustained damage that was repaired in time for the next day.
Spring Hill, Fla.-based Wade Shows placed 75 rides, games and shows on the midway, Munz said. On-site sales for pay-one-price wristbands grew by only ½ percent, but advance sales through Walgreens grew by 20 percent because of a different deal that was offered for the second year.
Fairgoers could buy a wristband in advance of the fair for a $10 discount. Previously, the discount had been free gate admission with the purchase of a carnival wristband. However, if the fairgoer bought the armband for a $2 admission day, the discount was only $2.
“The fact that we were giving a straight-ahead $10 discount off the price of an armband superceded any benefit they may have received in the past,” Munz said. “It’s a much better deal. We decided to clean up the deal.”
This was the second year the discount was offered. “The public is catching on to the fact that this $10 savings is a much better deal than in the past.”
The price of the carnival wristbands Monday through Thursday was $30 during the fair or $20 in advance, and Friday through Sunday it was $35 or $25 in advance.
Gate admission for adults was $9 for ages 12 and up or $7 in advance through select locations, not including Walgreens, or $5 or $4 for ages 6 to 11. Senior citizens could attend free on Wednesday; otherwise, there was no senior price.
The fair presented two paid concerts in conjunction with PRCA Extreme Bulls in the 8,400-seat Jim Norick Arena. The Eli Young Band sold out and Clay Walker was a near sellout, Munz said. Tickets cost $25 or $20 for both.
The open-air Chickasaw Entertainment Stage has seating for 1,000 but has standing room and ancillary areas where fans can watch and/or listen to the act, Munz said.
Acts that played the free stage included Randy Houser, Loverboy, Jerrod Niemann, Diana Reyes, Sevendust, The Ohio Players, and the ‘70s band America, the latter of which produced one of the largest crowds for the stage, Munz said.
The fair does not release any overall, entertainment or marketing budget information, he added.
In marketing, the fair relaunched its website in June prior to the fair as well as pushed social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and a blog, Munz said.
Social media contest prizes ranged from the opportunity to attend meet-and-greets with the musical artists, to a free T-shirt for meeting a staff member at a specific location, he added.
The fair also buys traditional media including radio, TV, print and outdoor.
“Outdoor primarily has gone to digital so we can change and update the messages,” Munz said.
In new foods, “Bacon seems to be the popular food component of late,” Munz said.
Foods included a Bacon Bloody Mary made with beer, Bacon Explosion Sandwich, Bacon Wrapped Caramel Apple, Bacon Wrapped Corn Dog, Cheesy Bacon Bombs, and a Pancake Burger featuring bacon and a burger between two pancakes.
The fair also had a Cinnaburger, a burger on a cinnamon roll instead of a doughnut like at some other fairs.
“Cinnamon rolls are a big thing here, like cream puffs at Minnesota,” Munz said.
Next year’s dates will be Sept. 11-21.
Interviewed for this article: Scott Munz, (405) 948-6737