Indiana State Fair Will Pause to Remember Stage Collapse Victims on August 13
To pay respects to the seven killed and dozens injured, the Indiana Sate Fair will cease all activity on August 13 at 8:46PM, a year to the date and time of the horrific state collapse involving country super duo Sugarland.
"The fair stops," says Cindy Hoye, the State Fair Commission and Executive Director, according to the Indy Star. "We will pay our respect to those who lost their lives and were injured."
Safety and security will also be beefed up for this year's events, with all employees expected to watch a 25-minute video training class on security and customer service. Employees must pass a test before they will be given their badge.
Earlier this year, Andrea Vellinga of Pendleton, Ind. -- one of the most critically-injured victim of the stage collapse -- returned home, alleviating some of the negative energy still surround the incident. Even with the great news, the legal warfare between the victims and Sugarland moves forward. A trial has been set for April 1, 2014.
Victims and the families of those who were killed by the tragedy are suing the duo for damages, claiming that they were responsible for the structure. Sugarland was scheduled to take the stage at the time that high winds blew the rigging onto the crowd. The lawsuit could potentially decide that the 'Stuck Like Glue' group is liable for the accident, forcing them to pay millions in damages.