![The Lucas County Fairgrounds announced on Wednesday that the ride selection at this year's fair will be limited due to 'situations beyond [its] control'.](https://media.wtol.com/assets/WTOL/images/874998e8-2e96-4916-a1e5-f945df38764b/20240710T225406/874998e8-2e96-4916-a1e5-f945df38764b_1920x1080.jpg)
MAUMEE, Ohio — In a social media post Wednesday, the Lucas County Fairgrounds announced that the carnival rides and inflatables will be free at the 2024 Lucas County Fair.
While at first glance free rides for the family seem like something overwhelmingly positive, the fairgrounds explained that the rides at this year's fair will be limited compared to years past.
The fairgrounds blame unfulfilled contracts and "situations beyond [its] control" for the loss in rides.
The fair signed a contract with the company for 12 rides, Lucas County Fair director Jodi Flores told WTOL 11.
Instead, the company showed up with two rides on Sunday and a third on Monday. The third ride failed inspection, leaving only two functional rides that passed inspection, Flores said.
"We asked the public what they wanted. They want rides. We're here in the city. They wanted rides. We thought that we could give that to them this year because that's what they wanted," Flores said. "When they came and they only brought us the two rides, that is unacceptable for us. We're very angry and we're very disappointed."
Four rides at the fair passed inspection with one ride that was not assembled or operational when the Ohio Department of Agriculture conducted its inspections, a spokesperson for the ODA said.
The fair's admission tickets will continue to be $7 per person, with no additional cost for ride wristbands. Fair games and food vendors will still be available at the event.
The fairground maintains that it has not raised admission prices in over five years in order to remain a reasonably-priced event for the whole family.
The Lucas County Fair will continue its events through Sunday.
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