Statement Regarding Amusement Device Incident at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Amusement Device Unit is overseeing the regulatory process following the Wednesday, August 19, 2026, incident involving the Wave Swinger at the Wilson County–Tennessee State Fair.

The Amusement Device Unit does not conduct accident investigations. Inspections and assessments are performed by qualified third-party inspectors. The state's role is to oversee the process, review the required documentation, and determine whether a device meets the operational requirements.

Reithoffer Shows holds an active annual operating permit in Tennessee covering 57 amusement devices and was continuously permitted during the fair. Each amusement device that an operator brings into the state must have a valid inspection to obtain an operating permit.

The Wave Swinger was inspected by a third-party inspector on August 12, one day before the fair opened.

Following the incident on Wednesday evening, the state issued a cease-and-desist order for the Wave Swinger. The device cannot resume operation until the state receives and reviews the required inspection report and determines that the device meets the requirements to operate.

The state has been informed that the manufacturer must assess the Wave Swinger before it can resume operation. Prior to passing its August 12 inspection, a new computer system and motor were installed on the device. The third-party inspector advised the state that the manufacturer will need to determine whether that equipment affected the device's functionality.

Because this is Tennessee's largest fair, the Amusement Device Unit has maintained an on-site presence throughout the event to oversee compliance with the state's amusement device requirements. Because of this on-site presence, the state was able to respond quickly when this incident occurred.