THE BALLOON MAN

No Space Needle at 2010 Oklahoma State Fair

By The The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma State Fair official says a popular attraction won’t be operational during this year’s event.
Fair Vice President Scott Munz told television station KWTV that the Space Needle, which carries passengers high above the fairgrounds and provides an expansive view of Oklahoma City, has been shut down.
He says flash flooding that hit Oklahoma City in June left the 42-year-old ride’s underground control system and generators underwater and that there was not enough time to fix the Space Needle before this year’s fair, which begins Thursday.
Munz says because of the Space Needle’s age, it’s hard to find replacement parts. He says if it’s determined it will cost too much to fix the ride, it might be closed permanently. He says fair officials will make that decision after this year’s event.