Monday, August 6, 2007 1:02 AM CDT
Carnival fun at the fair brings family members together
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — Eyes darting about at the carnival rides, 4-year-old Sydney Dehart of Arthur had the patience of a saint Friday afternoon.
Sydney was waiting without complaint, or even tugging, as her grandmother Nancy and aunt Kimberly mapped out the strategy for the carnival ride schedule.
“I try to make it with my granddaughters each year. This happened to be the night I could bring her,” said Nancy Goss of Trilla during the visit to Coles County Fairgrounds. “I think we’ll pick the air balloon because her daddy is a volunteer firefighter.”
Sydney’s eyes brightened as she looked over at the ride featuring a fire truck.
Tom Hallberg, a Naperville native with family ties to Coles County, was cheering on his 6-year-old son, Brayden. Three-year-old Reece was swaying to the music soundtrack of the ride while he stood by his dad. The rocking, rising ride had Brayden holding tight but smiling, too. Both boys think the carnival rides are cool fun.
“People are different down here than up north. No one goes to carnivals up there. I really like passing this tradition on to them,” said Hallberg as he balanced an inflatable Spiderman and Sonic under his arm.
Then he headed with his sons to the NASCAR ride, the Hallberg boys’ favorite. The boys were so excited Reece nearly ran out of his Croc shoes.
Coles County Fair directors work hard to make sure the carnival contract has a mix of rides for different ages and a good track record on cleanliness and safety.
“This is one of the good, clean, dependable and safe carnival contractors. They are one of the best around,” Tom Jones, president of the Coles County Fair Board of Directors, said of Swyear Amusements.
“We ask them to furnish rides to different ages and mix in some new rides during their contract time,” he said of the multi-year agreement.
Jodi Swann-Britton of Charleston had just been “fishing” with her 4-year-old daughter Grace, who was hugging hard on an inflatable Dora the Explorer. The toy was a prize from a carnival game that had competitors fishing for wins.
“We caught a shark!” said Grace during the break between carnival rides.
Jodi thinks fair carnivals are a great bargain for parents of young children.
“We try to come every year. It’s great to get out and try something different each year,” she said before heading with Grace to a ride featuring flying elephants.
Jones said Coles County Fair officials have worked at offering more bargains through the carnival week during the past few years. Five of the eight carnival nights this year featured specials such as armband offers for children.
“We realize things are expensive for families. We can’t control the prices set by the carnival, but we do work to offer these special nights,” he said.
With all the rides there is a sense of adventure at a carnival. There is always the challenge of some rides that send the head going one direction and the stomach in another. Maybe that is why many parents watch instead of ride some of the equipment with seating adequate for adults.
Jones admitted the rides have changed quite a bit since he was riding them.
“I really don’t know the favorites these days. I don’t really test-ride them. I trust the contractor. I can get sick on a merry-go-round,” he said.
Another requirement is the music. A generation ago, it was heavy metal or hard rock roaring as the rides picked up speed. Now it is rap music.
“It has to be loud, too!” he said.
Though there might be a generation gap on the music playing at the carnival, Jones thinks carnival rides at a fair are a tradition that won’t fade away.
“Kids really like going to carnivals. It’s a great tradition. I hope it doesn’t get phased out,” he said.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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