WELLINGTON — Take a pogo stick and combine it with a merry-go-round. Sound like fun?
Well, to get in on this action all you have to do is go to the Lorain County Fair and experience its newest ride, The Mega Bounce.
Riders will sit in one of 12 arms on the contraption and spin in a circle on an air cylinder as they bounce up and down.
“The younger kids and teens will probably enjoy it most,” said Kim Meyers, fair board trustee. “It’ll be a lot of fun.”
The Mega Bounce is one of two new rides fairgoers will experience at this year’s fair. The other is The Musik, which spins around while riders sit safely strapped into a seat in the middle.
“The seats probably fit two adult-size people and three younger people,” Meyers said.
Those rides will be in addition to the usual fare seen whipping people around across the fairgrounds. Twenty to 25 rides should again make their appearance, courtesy of Bates Brothers, an Ohio-based firm whose rides travel to county fairs, carnivals and other events in Ohio and neighboring states. The company has provided the fast-moving entertainment for the last 16 years.
Anywhere from 20 to 25 rides will take attendees on twists, turns, ups and downs. (CT file photo.)
“Like every year, we’ll have a variety of rides to make it fun for everyone,” Meyers said.
The most popular rides for younger kids remain the carousel and water rides, while the swings and Ferris wheel are the mainstays of adults.
The hit ride Slingshot, modeled after Cedar Point’s Power Tower, is expected to stay a favorite of daredevils, as will the Zipper, which flips passengers forward, backward and over in enclosed cars.
In the name of safety, all rides are given a general inspection by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which also inspects rides for the state’s amusement parks and other fairs. State inspectors also select a half-dozen or so for a more detailed examination.
There has only been one significant injury in recent years at the fair, which occurred in 2006 when a girl riding the Whirlwind received a mild shock. Officials said there was a problem with proper grounding of wires and the girl did not have any burns or permanent injury.
Want to ride?
- Adults and kids can purchase individual ride tickets for $1, ride hand stamps for noon to 5 p.m. for $12, or hand stamps valid 6 to 10 p.m. for $15.
- Weekend hand stamps for Friday and Saturday cost $15 and are good noon to 5 p.m. or 6 to 10 p.m.
- Stamps for Sunday cost $6 for noon to 5 p.m. or 5 to 9 p.m.
- Kids’ day specials Tuesday and Wednesday let youngsters ride for $8 from noon to 5 p.m.
Contact Adam Wright at 329-7129 or awright@chroniclet.com.
