Due to the recent incidents on rides provided by Smokey's Greater Shows in Waterville, the Friends of Windjammer Days committee has decided to cancel the event for this year's Windjammer Days Festival.

On June 12, three children were reportedly injured on one of the company’s roller coaster rides, and on June 13, another incident reportedly with the Air Time swing ride.

Jason Schlosser, Friends of Windjammer Days committee member, said he polled the board immediately after learning of the June 13 incident and contacted the company.

“I spoke to Jeanette Gilmore of Smokey's Greater Shows about the first incident. Jeanette said the roller coaster had been inspected by the state twice before that carnival opened and it was approved,” Schlosser said on June 15. “When the second incident involving their rides happened on Saturday, that's when I called the (Friends of Windjammer Days) board members to decide what the best course of action was.”

According to an article in the Portland Press Herald, Gilmore said the second incident, on the swing ride, happened because the woman got out of her swing before the ride had come to a stop. However, according to the same article, witnesses report the woman fell out of the swing.

The board of directors sought legal counsel before making a decision.

“We were given the legal opinion that to continue with Smokey's Greater Shows was opening up major liability problems to the board of directors, if another injury would occur during WJD,” board member Mark Gimbel said. “And Smokey’s Greater Shows agreed.”

Seeking a possible replacement, Schlosser said he contacted another carnival company but there wasn’t enough lead time.

“We (the Friends of Windjammer Days committee) were informed by the town that an entire new permitting process was needed,” Mark Gimbel said. “This process includes two weeks of public notice in the paper. The festival would be over by the conclusion of that process.”

With the festival now less than a week away, time was of the essence for the board. 

“Having a carnival, and adding more things for kids during the festival was a good idea,” Dianne Gimbel, chairman of Friends of Windjammer Days said. “But the liability — to the community, to visitors to the festival itself and the Friends of Windjammer Days — due to these two recent incidents, made it impossible for us to go ahead with it.”

 The 53rd Windjammer Days Festival kicks off on Sunday, June 21.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.boothbayregister.com/promotion/x/50246 or click on the Windjammer Days image on the homepage.