More like ‘washout’
The annual Cumberlandfest Carnival was shut down on Saturday due to the persistent rainy weather. Diamond Hill Park was deserted with just a few vendors packing up to leave, a few Cumberlandfest volunteers riding around in golf carts, and the sounds of hammers banging away as workers from Mark Fanelli Travelling Amusements were dismantling the popular Wipeout ride that had malfunctioned Friday night and was being taken down and carted away. The fireworks scheduled for Saturday night were postponed until tonight, and all of the scheduled entertainment events were canceled Saturday. Above, Fanelli workers dismantle the popular ‘Wipeout’ ride on the Midway Saturday. According to General Manager Dan Tibbets, the ride had become inoperable Friday night and he instructed his crew to take the ride down and cart it away while the carnival was shut down and there were no crowds. Hopefully, the weather will improve today and all of the scheduled events will resume as planned, including the fireworks. At right, Rhonda Matarese, owner of Thirty-One Gifts, a popular private vendor at Cumberlandfest, shakes out her umbrellas while packing up her things for the day. When asked if she’d be returning Sunday, she stated “No way, we’re done. The weather radar I just checked looks worse for tomorrow,” she said.