New measures at Tennessee Valley Fair aim to help those with sensory issues

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — If you visit the Tennessee Valley Fair this year, you may notice some new additions.

Kissel Entertainment, the fair’s midway provider, recently became the first traveling entertainment provider to be sensory-inclusive certified.

“It’s a passion of the Kissel family,” Kissel Spokesperson Eric German said. “They’ve been doing sensory-friendly mornings for the last seven or eight years throughout the county fairs throughout the country.”

For the first time, the Tennessee Valley Fair includes a sensory sensitivity trailer, which provides a place for people to take a break from the crowds.

“The lights are dimmed, there are some sensory tools to play with and fidget tools, etcetera. It’s very quiet and a place to relax,” German said.

There are also signs that warn those with sensory issues of potentially overstimulating areas.

“Folks with sensory sense sensitivities can be autistic, they can also be adults with PTSD. There’s also research that shows adults with early stages of dementia have sensory sensitivity, so it serves a wide spectrum of the fair-going public,” German said.

Sensory bags are also available for checkout at the front entrance. They have noise-reduction headphones, light-reducing glasses, and a card to help the person express their emotions if they’re overstimulated.

Though it’s only day four of the fair, the new tools have already been put to use by a large number of fairgoers.

“The sensory bags get checked out on a regular basis at the welcome center and used. Right before our interview, a lady walked by and said, ‘Thank you, I have my two autistic children here yesterday and they enjoyed it,'” German said.

The fair is being held at Chilhowee Park and will be open through September 15.

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