
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 10, 1993                   TAG: 9307100267
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CELESTE KATZ STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FAIR THREATENED, BUT NOT DRENCHED

Only a few drops of rain actually fell on the Salem Fair Friday night, but high winds, nearby lightning, and a severe thunderstorm warning were enough to prompt fair officials to close down most rides and urge fairgoers into the Civic Center arena for a while.

"There was so much dust getting in my eyes, I had to put on my sunglasses," said Brandon Rolen, 16, who arrived at the fair just five minutes before announcers requested that everyone seek shelter.

Several hundred people were at the fair when the National Weather Service named the grounds a prime target for severe weather, including "winds of up to 55 miles per hour, destructive hail, and deadly lightning." However, the storm did not hit the fair itself.

Those manning booths on the midway quickly prepared for a violent storm or herded stragglers towards the arena.

"We were told that in 20 minutes, there would be a 2- or 3-inch flood, and we have a lot of expensive equipment in here," said Sonia Barcena of the Picture This USA booth, which prints computerized photos with the use of a video camera. Barcena said that she and her co-workers hurried to take down the display pictures and cover the computers.

Despite the lucky right turn the storm took, some fairgoers were disappointed by the interruption. The major rides were temporarily closed down, including the crane-operated Bungee Plunge and the Giant Wheel.

"They weren't exactly understanding about why some rides stayed on and this one didn't," said Giant Wheel operator Rich Moore, pointing out that during lightning storms, the tallest attractions are the first to be shut down. "A standing lightning rod, that's what these rides are," he said.

Over by the petting zoo, Ken White and his co-workers hurried the goats, donkeys, and llamas back into their truck. Although the wind made animals a little nervous, not one tried to make a break for it.

The storm scare lasted less than an hour, and the wind caused little trouble aside from blowing down a few posters, stirring up dust, and scattering trash all over the lawn.

While a number of people said they were bored during the wait, others tried to make the best of their air-conditioned indoor stay. Kecha Conley of Botetourt County used the time constructively; she nursed her 2-week-old son, Brogan.

by CNB