rides at carnivals / county fairs

[NuclearNed]

So a small carnival is setting up in a field across the road from our local WalMart. Most of the rides look like a high school kid's senior metal shop project. Do people actually ride those things? I like a good rollercoaster, but most of these things look like crunchy death waiting to happen. I just can't imagine that safety inspections are high on a carnie's "to do" list.

 

[Mursilis]

The apparent lack of maintenance and safety inspections just adds to the rush! Are you a thrill seeker or not?!?

 

[meltdown75]

don't be hatin on the Tilt-a-Whirl

 

[CRXican]

octopus!
octopus!

 

[waffleironhead]

I was always a sucker for the gravitron. It was my favorite as a kid. Its now that I look at all of those rides and such from the perspective of age that I wonder why I enjoyed the fair so much.

 

[meltdown75]

carnies are classy folks

 

[pontifex]

wouldn't there be tons of news reports of people getting hurt on these things considering the amount of fairs and carnivals in the US alone? I never see anything about people getting hurt on these. its usually people getting hurt on rides at big name amusement parks instead.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
I was always a sucker for the gravitron. It was my favorite as a kid. Its now that I look at all of those rides and such from the perspective of age that I wonder why I enjoyed the fair so much.

One of my favorite rides ever... at least it was when I was a kid, I probably haven't been on it in 15 years.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
I was always a sucker for the gravitron. It was my favorite as a kid. Its now that I look at all of those rides and such from the perspective of age that I wonder why I enjoyed the fair so much.

One of my favorite rides ever... at least it was when I was a kid, I probably haven't been on it in 15 years.

Actually, I used to ride a whole lot of carnival rides when I was a kid. The gravitron was one of my favorites too.

 

[CRXican]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
I was always a sucker for the gravitron. It was my favorite as a kid. Its now that I look at all of those rides and such from the perspective of age that I wonder why I enjoyed the fair so much.

is that the one where you stick on the wall

hell yea!

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
carnies are classy folks

I am with George Costanza when it comes to carnies.

MotionMan

 

[tk149]

All the temporary rides I've seen usually have some sort of state license/inspection sticker on them.

 

[marvdmartian]

Besides, when the drive belt breaks, you get an extra long ride from it!!

Happened to me in high school. Riding along, everything's cool, then WHAM!! and a scream from the girl riding in the car that one end of the broken belt had just hit (on the back of the car, no one got hurt.....but I bet she crapped her panties!!). Took 'em 10 minutes to get everyone off the ride, one car at a time.

 

[BoomerD]

Surprisingly, the injury/death rate on such rides is very tiny.

Sadly, around here, anytime a carnival sets up, it's quickly taken over by Mexicans and the Mexican gangbangers.

You rarely see any white people at them anymore because of the problems that seem to follow. (drunks, drugs, fights, "non-family-friendly" language, etc.)

Growing up in the Northwest 30-40 years ago, I loved the carnivals that used to pop up almost overnight. Hell, who can resist something that makes you go around and around and around...then puke?

(don't remember which comic did a bit about that many years ago)

 

[tyler811]

We spent all day yesterday at the local county and the wife and kid rode the Pharaoh Fury, The Hymalian, Ferris Wheel, The swing one that goes around in circles, Sizzler, Bumper Cars for four hours yesterday. Then we went back for the Demolition Derby. Awesome fun but depending on where you live be prepared to pay a small fortune. The county we live in fairly large and in a city metro area. $10 just for parking and we bought the arm band special for $17 all you can ride. This was the best deal as 40 coupons were $35 and each ride takes 4-5 coupons.

But if we go to a fair outside of the metro area then it is way cheaper. One small town fair we went to last year it was $5 to get in but included all the rides which were about the same as the big county fair.

Go have some fun, I bet you will have a great time.

 

[Chunkee]

You should become a Carnie.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: tk149
All the temporary rides I've seen usually have some sort of state license/inspection sticker on them.

I saw story about that on 60 minutes about 15 years ago.

You will not catch me or my family on any of those rides.

MotionMan

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Only two things scare me. And one of them is nuclear war.

So what's the other one?

Carnies. Little hands. Smell like cabbage...