Street Fest Season Starts With Ride Inspections

Ride operators start to put up a ferris wheel in preparation for the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church annual fair.

The city Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the Buildings Department last Thursday kicked off the summer season by sending an important message to temporary amusement ride operators, ride owners, and event organizers: all rides at street fairs, block parties, festivals, and carnivals must be licensed and pass safety inspections. The announcement was made at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 30-11 30th Dr., Astoria, where Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz and Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster took an inaugural spin on the ferris wheel following a full inspection in preparation for the church's annual bazaar. Christie Huus, Assistant Commissioner for the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit (CAU) was also in attendance.

The city inspects and licenses temporary amusement rides, including ferris wheels, tilt-a-whirls, and carousels, throughout the summer to ensure the safety of those operating and riding them. Installed at street fairs, block parties, and special events in all five boroughs, temporary amusement rides must be licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs and pass inspection by the Buildings Department prior to operating. Each time a temporary amusement ride relocates to a new street fair or block party, a 'green card' must be posted prominently on site. A 'green card' signifies that the temporary amusement ride has a DCA license and has passed a thorough inspection by the Department of Buildings.

In accordance with city regulations, Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz and Buildings Department Commissioner Patricia Lancaster give a ferris wheel at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church annual fair a full inspection.

"Street fairs, block parties, and festivals are real hallmarks of summertime in New York City," Mintz said. "Event organizers, parents and caregivers should always make sure rides are licensed and inspected. It's also never been easier for operators to get licensed simply by calling 311 or going online."

Lancaster and Mintz take a ride on a just-inspected and certified ferris wheel as preparations for the annual fair at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Astoria get underway. Photos Vinny DuPre

Lancaster commented: "Last year's amusement ride season was both fun and safe, thanks to the cooperation of the riders, vendors, operators and the agencies that regulate them- the Buildings Department and the Department of Consumer Affairs. We look forward to another season of working to protect the public from the dangers they can't always see by conducting spot checks to ensure all rides are licensed and ride operators are following safety regulations. In the meantime, we encourage New Yorkers and tourists alike to look for the 'green card' before riding the rides."

"Street festivals are a classic part of summer in New York City, and they offer New Yorkers an excellent opportunity to get out and enjoy the warm weather," said CAU Assistant Commissioner Huus. "We look forward to another safe and enjoyable season."

The city expects over 1,000 temporary amusement rides to operate at street fairs, block parties, and special events in all five boroughs this summer. The Department of Consumer Affairs has already received approximately 60 applications for temporary rides and licensed more than 200 portable and inflatable rides for this season. All operators of portable and inflatable amusement rides are required to have a one-year license from the DCA. To obtain a DCA license, ride owners must provide proof of insurance and rides must pass an inspection by the Buildings Department. To make it easier for ride operators, ride owners, and event coordinators to abide by the requirements, the city requires only 12 days' notice to perform inspections and process license applications for temporary amusement rides.

In addition to inspecting rides before they are operated, Buildings Department inspectors will be conducting unannounced spot checks during nights and weekends throughout the season to ensure rides are licensed and operating in a safe and compliant manner. Temporary amusement rides operating without a DCA license or without passing a Buildings Department inspection will be shut down.

The Department of Consumer Affairs provides an updated list of licensed rides every week on its Web site at www.nyc.gov/consumers. To learn more about safety regulations and temporary amusement ride licenses, visit www.nyc.gov/buildings or call 311. The Mayor's Community Assistance Unit (CAU) issues permits for street fairs and block parties throughout the City. More information can be found at www.nyc.gov/cau.

Lancaster noted that she came to the St. Demetrios festival site the day after receiving on behalf of the Buildings Department the 2007 Sheldon Oliensis Ethics in City Government Award, an annual award given by the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board to an agency that demonstrates a commitment to the promotion of ethics and integrity. The award was presented to the Buildings Department in recognition of its dedicated efforts to infuse integrity, accountability, and efficiency into its operations, including inspecting temporary rides set up at street fairs and church carnivals. The Oliensis Ethics in City Government Award is presented by the Conflicts of Interest Board to honor an agency or individual for promoting ethics and integrity in city government. Its first recipient and namesake was the late former COIB Board Chair Sheldon Oliensis, who presided over the board's transformation from an advisory body into one of the premier ethics agencies in the country. Past recipients have included the Departments of Transportation, Environmental Protection and Investigation.