Page 6 - eagle082621

PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN August 26, 2021

PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH

Safety first

Amusement provider assures riders’ safety at Plymouth Fall Festival

When the huge amusement church carnivals, actually began
rides are installed at the his career in the dunk tank and
Plymouth Fall Festival set for then advanced to operating a
Sept. 10, 11 and 12, they bring small basketball game.
with them 50 years of safety expe- Since then his career has
rience. expanded into ownership of one
Danny Huston, the owner of of the largest amusement ride
North American Midway companies in the country.
Entertainment, said that safety is “It's been fun,” he said of the
the top priority of the company business, “although I often don't
which undergoes repeated pro- think people give amusement
fessional inspections in states rides people enough credit. We
across the country when they help civic organizations, church-
take the rides to carnivals, festi- es and charities to raise millions
vals and events. of dollars every year. These are
“The Michigan inspectors do a some of the hardest working peo-
great job,” he said. “They are very ple in the world.”
through and very professional. Huston explained that North
Those are tough inspections.” American Midway
Huston said that his company Entertainment does drug testing,
has mechanics and independent background checks and requires
inspectors that travel with the a dress code for every employee.
rides to ensure the integrity and “We have quality workers who the country are always on hand to Inspectors. Canadian provinces. This year,
safety of the mechanical devices. are polite and respectful,” he perform maintenance and repair “Those guys are tough,” he Huston said, he will bring 18 to 18
“We hire independent, private said. He emphasized, too, that his the rides, making sure they are said. “They do a great job. I think midway rides to Plymouth,
inspectors to make sure the employees are all trained and are operating a peak performance people can be very confident in “whatever fits in the street.”
machines are working perfectly,” each required to submit an and safety. the safety of our rides.” Currently, the company has more
he said. “Just another set of eyes inspection check-list sheet for “It's just like a car,” Huston North American Midway than 200 midway rides in the
and ears to make sure everything whichever ride they may be oper- said. “Things get worn and need Entertainment is an international inventory. The food trucks offer
is safe.” ating as a first step. He said that replacement. We make sure that company with corporate head- fair classics from French fries to
Huston, who started in the car- sheet is then reviewed by another those things are taken care of quarters based in Farmland, funnel cake sundaes.
nival entertainment business inspector to ensure safety for all professionally.” Indiana. The company provides “There's always something for
when he was about 12, working riders. He added that the inspectors rides, games and food to fairs and everyone,” Huston said, “but safe-
for a neighbor who operated The company mechanics who with his rides attend the same festivals in about 140 communi- ty is always our number one pri-
small amusements for local travel with the machines across schools as the Michigan Ride ties in 20 states as well as four ority.”
Plymouth, Westland each awarded DTE community grants

The cities of Westland and seeing this year's seedlings the leafy, tree-lined character of
Plymouth were among 26 become catalysts for environ- ” the city streets and parks, will
Michigan communities and mental change statewide,” said Grants totaling $92,500 will fund the purchase receive $4,000 from the pro-
organizations to receive grants Lynette Dowler, president of and planting of trees along streets gram while the City of Westland
funded by DTE to plant trees, the DTE Energy Foundation. was awarded $2,250.
enhance communities and pro- “That's why our foundation con- and in parks and other public spaces. An annual request for pro-
tect water quality. tinues to support tree plantings posals goes out each spring; the
Grants totaling $92,500 will and other initiatives that pro- next opportunity to apply is in
fund the purchase and planting tect our air, land and water in The group, Keep Plymouth organization of neighbors com- late April 2022, DTE officials
of trees along streets and in communities across the state.” Leafy, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit mitted to positively enhancing said.
parks and other public spaces.
The funding, from a program
sponsored by the DTE Energy
Foundation and administered
by the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and non-
profit ReLeaf Michigan, ranged
is size from $1,800 to $4,000.
“The DTE Energy
Foundation looks forward to