Carnivals

Well, it's getting close to the time of year when the Alaska State Fair opens for about 2 weeks here, and I wanted to hear about other people's stories about their experiences at carnivals and fairs.

When our fair rolls around, it's usually a multi-day deal for me and my friends. The first day or two, we walk around sampling all the fatty foods and tossing back beers, while just sitting back and watching all the people gathered for the festival. Our favourite place to go is in front of Raven Hall and watch all the hotties walking by, and checking out the huge sand sculpture that is usually there.

When that gets boring, we check out the bands and other acts that are around the grounds and check out what every one is selling. There is a really nice knife place that has a lot of cool displays of really weird blades that I like to frequent, just to look at all that they've got. I also like to visit the clothing stores and see what overpriced goods that they are trying to peddle, and sometimes I'll buy a sweater or jacket.

I used to visit the dung hole that was the wanna-be farm, but after I learned that I was allergic to hay, I stopped going. I started to visit the flower exhibits and the huge vegetable growing contests they have going on. I also like to dip into the science exhibits they've set up for kids. That used to be sole reason I liked going to the fair (besides the awesome, cheap toys).

During the last day or two that we are out at the fair, we tend to sit around and watch people again, and play games or watch more bands. I like to watch the dirt racing they have every year, and it is almost a guarantee to see some car lose control. Some years bring an awesome display of all the dirt biking, wanna-be X-Game peoples, and it's always cool seeing them flying, hoping someone misses their footing.

I've done the spin art deal with the paint and colours and cardboard paper, and I've also made a few waxed hands. I've yet to get my face painted, or have my hair done in some crazy fashion. I'm thinking I may do it this year, if only for some laughs.

I can't really tell if that was long or not. I've also only been to one kind of carnival outside of my state; and that was in New Jersey, on the boardwalk of Ocean City. It was definitely enjoyable, because I had a lot more family there that year.

tl;dr

What are your stories of fairs, festivals, and carnivals? What are your favourite activities? I'd like to know how they differ around the world.

I don't go to carnivals since I was little. I've also lost the interest in it.
But when I did, I liked to ride those cars-on-rails alot and eat sweet candy.

Rio Carnival though, you can still like, carnaval bitches, I've only seen good clips from FTV, jacked on it when I was a kid.

Fully on topic:

Here, street festivals, there are dumb games and shows, most usual is something that makes peeps wet or kids skid on yucky grease or floor wax while climbing a log, almost 3 floor high, they usually push the kids butt or pull their pants or whatever.

There is also boxing that never starts, and they punch weakly(but can punch till bleeding when it's outside the boxing). There is also the scary religious parade were people got primitive costume and being fake blacks in honor of Baby Jesus, also scary war drum like music accompany them.

It's exactly, Philippine country here... A republic, okay?

I'm more of the city carnival liker. In RP, we have some of the regular urban city carnivals such as "Boom na Boom", "Star City" and "Enchanted Kingdom", which all three were at least I went to more than 4 times each. They all have these crazy rides, innovative conventions and booths (like a "World of Ice" exhibit), and lots of people all looking for and/or having fun.

It's a good place to break the ice on a date, more or like "warming up" on your squeeze. Or a place to release some pent-up stress and forget for 2 hours that you're more than 18 years old. It's basically a place for simple, unadulterated fun. I usually take my sisters or my girlfriend when they're down or sad and they eventually brighten up after a few rides and cotton candy.

Sometimes the carnivals in the Philippines vary depending on the place; some enjoy the "perya" in the provinces where there are raffle games, parlor games, simple makeshift merry-go-rounds and 60-feet-high makeshift ferris wheels. Some go to the "karnabal", which employs a lot of trapeze acts, crazy-as-hell displays (such as "Human Spider" and "Real Mermaid" which are pure faked bullshit) and clowns to go along with the rides. But both also has a lot of food stalls, booth games, and a lot of lights. They also operate on nighttime, like 6pm to 3am.

This sounds interesting. Is this something close to what it looks like? Or is it a sculpture type exhibit?





This sounds like what we do here, I've always enjoyed it being simple.



This sounds fascinating, I haven't seen acrobats at our fair in years, though. The closest we got to seeing weird stuff was some 2000 pound steer (or some huge weight; it was really disgusting to look at, it was all muscle and bone) that was probably on steroids. The state fair also closes at midnight here.

I head out to the county fair whenever it comes around because it's just a cheep night of fun for the most part. Especially when you have someone to share it with.

I actually had my very first kiss atop the Ferris wheel when I was 15. And that is my fondest memory.

Yep, close enough. It's basically a room full of ice things sculpted to use, such as chairs, tables, slides, chandeliers, sculptured horses and penguins, pillars (though inside one can see there's a transparent hard fiberglass tube to support it) and the like. It's a good place to literally "chill out" ^_^

didnt really go the the carnivals very much but i always went to the mirror maze no matter wat, ever carnival i saw, mirror maze, lol i found out most were the same XD

Awesome.



I've been in a mirror maze once. I panicked when I was younger, trying to find my way out. I started running, and turned a corner not seeing my self in a mirror, and got the wind knocked out of me as I hit a mirror and fell.

Years ago there was a Carnival I went to and the main attraction of it WAS A DEMOLITION DERBY! I am not joking. It was the best time of my life.

Fenton Mi. has the Appel Fest in September. It's pretty good sized with a ton of rides and game/food booths.

Though, I really wish these carnivals could afford an Anton Schwarzkopf porta-looper. These things are all over Germany's funfairs.

Although not the main attraction, we do get to see a demolition derby here quite often. I've never been to one, so I don't know if it is actually here every year or not. They look fun to watch. I'm a fan of Twisted Metal games, so I wouldn't mind watching a real demo derby.



I would love it if we had a decent roller coaster here! They are my favourite activities when I go to amusement parks outside of my state. I like all the colours of the track.

I fucked a mermaid ~.

Okay, T-Pain.

omfg, it is this month D:
Fuck and I'm broke >_> It sounds like fun when you go up there Space.

Shut up, you're coming. We always get some free admission. Also, I want pictures when we go!

I always forget that alaska exist...

I wish there were state fairs here in Japanland. There are alot of festivals, but they only really differ depending on the season. Childrens day in spring and has to do with fish, Sapporo festival with the cherry blossom trees is pretty nice, and the winter is filled with skiing.

I suppose they are pretty similar, but it just isn't the same. American festivals have friend twinkies man... seriously... fried twinkies...

i never know what an actual carnaval looks and feels like, there aren't any here, at least nohere near me....

These make me sad ;__;



This also makes me sad.

It's really fun going to fairs and places like this. I'll update with crappy phone pics when it opens here. It's a hoot going to fairs and shit; it usually rains half the time we're out there, so it's nice that it doesn't get too hot.

Seeing all the people from every where is fun for me, I like people watching while downing a beer or fries. Curly fries there are freakin' awesome, they make them in fatty blocks and it's like 6 bucks and feeds 5-7 people as a side. Throw in a burger or some fish, and you're good to go for the rest of the day.

Haha, I like watching the rat races, it's funny watching people waste a crap load of money betting on them.

Ugh, I can go on forever about the fair. I'll stop here for now.

Haven't gone to a state fair in a long time. Last time I went, we just pigged out on the carny food and played the games. Went on a few rides, but those aren't my thing.

There's usually a shooting or stabbing at the fair these past years though.