The aftermath of the bleacher collapse at the Kendall County Fair has seen an outpouring of concern and community support. On Saturday night, an incident occurred resulting in injuries and hospital trips for several individuals. Among them, one attendee recounted the terrifying moment when a "heavier beam was on her" as the structure gave way, forcing him and his friend to the ground. They managed to lift the beam to free her. Tiffany Fleming, another victim, felt the floor collapse beneath her while watching a cattle scramble event. "I scrambled out and ran over to the boys,” Fleming told KENS 5.
As the emergency unfolded, no immediate cause for the collapse was apparent. Witnesses confirmed the absence of any rough behavior on the bleachers before the collapse, according to April Cleghorn's account to KENS 5. The Kendall County Office of Emergency Management confirmed via Facebook that part of the stadium had indeed collapsed, prompting the fair to shut down for the remainder of the night. The Boerne Fire Department's Assistant Fire Chief, Walter Ball, expressed gratitude for the community's responsiveness during the emergency. “Whether you’re a first responder or a patron, everyone was willing to lend a helping hand,” Ball explained. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is still ongoing.
Despite the incident, the fair continued on Sunday, with the community displaying resilience and solidarity. Ron Yurchisin, a new attendee, expressed his shock at hearing the news but remained eager to enjoy the fair's other offerings, as per News 4 San Antonio. Vendors like Teresa Somal and Bianca Castillo noticed a downturn in attendance yesterday, likely tied to the canceled rodeo and concerns from the previous day's event. However, regular fairgoer Vincent Saucedo emphasized the importance of community support and that showing up was crucial because "the community needs to stick together."
The Kendall County Fair Association has refrained from commenting on the situation, while the fair's planned events, excluding the rodeo, have carried on. Assistant Fire Chief Ball announced that the rodeo would be postponed until the grounds are deemed safe, reaffirming the communal strength of the Kendall and Boerne area in times of adversity. With the fair's carnival and concerts remaining open, the community has indeed rallied, demonstrating a collective resolve that underscores the enduring spirit of these annual celebrations.
