Childhood carnival/fair memories?

[nvmbrsdoom5]

As I was trying to think of what amusement parks were around during the 1970s for the related thread, I realised that I in fact didn't attend them too often as a kid. I spent far more time at the local carnivals that would occur in my area during the summertime. It seems that even today the Chicagoland area still has many neighborhood carnivals throughout the summer, and it always gives my spirits a lift when I drive past one because I had so many good times attending those as a kid.

We had two main carnivals in my neighborhood, the Annunciata church carnival, and the St. Francis De Sales carnival. They'd usually occur sometime in mid to late July, I think. But by as early as May, I'd already be anticipating it and anxious to see what rides they'd have this year. I was always a sucker for those cheesy Haunted House rides where you'd get in a slow moving two-seater car and zigzag throughout this "house" (a trailer ) and see ghosts and mosters pop out at you. And I always loved the Tilt-A-Whirl (still do), it was a favorite of my mom's too so we always rode it at least once or twice each time. And I loved the game where you'd throw the giant multi-colored dice and put quarters on certain colors you choose, in order to win prizes.

So I was just curious, anyone else here have fond memories of attending their local neigborhood carnivals when you were young? Any favorite rides or games you always looked forward to, etc.?

[monkey tennis]

I spent a lot of my time at Victoria Park in east London, riding my bike around the lake. They had part of the park fenced off and kept Deer in there, me and my brothers used to feed them biscuits, or bread to the Swans.
Had quite a few picnics with my family there. I remember playing fresbie with my Dad and also flying a kite that got court in a tree, I think it was a Spider-Man Kite.
I spent a rainy day there holding hands (honest) under a shelter with my future wife when we were courting.
I took my kids to the Deer and Swans alot when they were young.

There were no carnivals there, the odd Funfair though.

[Mikey]

Back in the 70's we had a carnival come to my little town every year on the 4th of July.
Was only a mile away so I could walk there

Some highlights....

One year Tiny Tim attended and I got a chance to meet him.

Every year they had .......

BIG JOHN: The World's Largest Horse

A Volkswagan Beetle on the top of a telephone pole with a guy inside waving

A Camper Van (full-size) totally carved from 1 giant Redwood tree

Motorcycle show-- featuring motorcycles riding inside the sides of a giant wood barrel (about 20 feet across)

Freak Animal show --- 2 headed cow--etc.

and of course, the classic fair rides.....

Good Times

[toys2cool]

Here we have the Miami Dade County Youth fair every year,it's huge!! it's actually coming in 2 weeks.They use to have toy shows there every 2 months and that's actually the place i got my first WGSH,it was a complete Batman for $25 in 1988

[mitchedwards]

Growing up the county fair was a must see. I always walked away with bags full of giveaways, from the local merchants setup to show their wares.

[Hulk]

I laugh thinking about all of the sex, drugs and rock and roll type prizes they gave out on the midways in the late 70's / early 80's. Even before I knew what they were I had more colored feather roach clips, rock band coke mirrors, and even bowls and pipes than I knew what to do with.