Saturday, September 22, 2007

County Fair: the Midway

Fortunately, my neighbors decided to go to the Yavapai County Fair last night. Took me along for the ride, which was great, since I haven't been to a county fair since the 19-aught-80s. Today must have been miserable for the fair participants -- kids with their carefully groomed animals, visitors looking for a good time, entertainers, farmers with their cattle. Our weather blustered, then delivered a series of veritable cloudbursts in front of that hurricane down off Baja. All day. Wet.

But last evening the weather was cool and fair. Perfect for the occasion. First stop, several long looks at the Midway, starting with semis that declared "circus load" on the cabs.

On one end of the fair grounds, the animals; at the other, the arts, crafts and commercial booths. In between, the best part of all -- the rides.

A machine called the Kamikaze...

...the Tornado, which looks sort of like the old Tilt-a-Whirl that I fondly remember...

...a ride whose name I didn't get, though it looks like great fun...

...and, of course, the Ferris Wheel. Didn't take any of the rides. A pity -- I recall motion pictures my LH took from the Ferris Wheel. Very unnerving point of view. Another memory -- the remarkable wheel with closed cars in Vienna that Orson Welles featured in The Third Man.

OK, OK. After dark, I couldn't resist the opportunity to check out the Night setting on my Cannon. Cheap shots, of course, but why not?

The one problem: the Ferris wheel was the only ride visible from my shooting position -- we were waiting to be picked up and couldn't go for a long walk.

But the County Fair is certainly about a lot more than rides and junk foods. More later.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful photos of the Ferris Wheel at night, Julie.
I loved to take Ferris Wheel and Rollercoaster Rides when I was a child.

Granny J said...

Olivia -- Believe it or not, I've lived to my ripe old age without ever having been on a rollercoaster. Most other rides, yes.

Anonymous said...

Tilt-a-Whirl--my first ride on same was at Jax Beach, with you, I think. I quickly became woozey, preparing to chunder, when the operator stopped the machine and let me off. I think that you had to alight too and that you were not favourably impressed. By happenstance, our annual Royal Show (county fair equivalent) starts next Saturday.

Hermano

Anonymous said...

Oh, Granny J, in my ripe old days I do not go on any of those rides any more, although I would love to, but they make me dizzy.

Granny J said...

Bro -- of course, you remember & I don't that incident. I had forgotten the carnie down at Jax Beach.

Olivia -- I would probably get horrendously dizzy also. Don't think I'd dare ride anything by the Ferris Wheel.

smilnsigh said...

Your night shots are not 'cheap' shots. lol

Mari-Nanci

quilteddogs said...

I think those night shots are pretty cool.

Granny J said...

SnS -- perhaps just gawdy?

QD -- but fun to take, nonetheless.

Avus said...

I liked the night shots too.
As to fairground rides - not for me I am afraid - my body has always disliked them!

Granny J said...

avus -- As a kid, I loved the rides. As an adult, I've been only on a Ferris wheel. As an elder, I doubt if I'd survive any of the rides.

 
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