Fairs and Fancies

Remember the first time you went to a rural show or a fair, a market or festival?

Remember the first time you went to a rural show or a fair, a market or festival? The colours, the glitz the wonder, walking around not knowing which way to look first?

I am starting to sound like such an old fossil – but I think its important to write these things down. Things are moving so fast – its hard to imagine a time without mobiles or without the internet. I feel sorry for my kids and the children of today. A lot of the wonder has been stolen by the so called advancement of society and technology. Once apon a time- the only adventure rides and thrills could only be had when the rural show or a fair was held. Now all you need is a ticket into Dreamworld or the like – 365 days a week. Even then – the rides here are so professional – so slick. Nothing like the ones I remember.

I remember seeing the sideshow alley for the first time. The Ferris wheel was so thrilling, so high. The most exciting ride was the Octopus and when the gravitron and the Enterprise came on the scene it really took things to the next level ( Lilly has been on all of these at Dreamworld.. and she was 2 at the time..) Of course we were never allowed to go these rides. Mum and Dad were heavily involved with the sheep and wool pavilion, the showing and judging. As kids were spent the entire 4 days living at the show, helping and getting under foot mostly I think. To be honest, it was pretty boring, sitting in amongst the displays of wool and the sheep. Once the showing was over, our jobs had finished. Later on the committee ran a Lamburger stall and we would spend our entire time in there, serving and making burgers. I guess it kept us out of trouble. I remember also for years we would go around and collect beer cans to be recycled and turned inot gold for us to spend – but that was for future gratifications – not an immediate cash spinner for the show. However, I digress… the glitz and glamour of the sideshow….

When I was a teenager and had a little saved up money, a friends and I went on through the Haunted House. A huge darkened maze of spooky rooms, foam underfoot to trip you and luminescent paint in splashed places to give it a eerie feel. Period screams and clinking of chains set the environment off as we clutched each others hand and fumbled our way through. A few wonky mirrors and a teenager in a rubber mask ended the wander through this “house”. I remember the temporary feel of the structure, its boards creaking as we stepped through the small spaces. The temporary and totally unsafe feel of each of the rides, actually. Old gears clinking and rattling. Boards on bricks and power leads covered by hessian bags running across the walkways. Complete health and safety nightmare. The operators all wore bright orange overalls – like a prison outfit. Cony Entertainment I seem to recall emblazed on their back. Many of them leering and gawking at the country girls giggling and squealing in delight at the rides. Makes me want to go and wash my hands now thinking of it all. Urggh.

Our poor kids. I don’t think there are many of these decrepit old rides or amusements left. Perhaps attached to a circus or at a far flung rural show. I haven’t been to the Brisbane Ekka for over 10 years now and honestly can’t see the attraction to it. I believe the rides are around the $15 mark. Where is the wonder or the attraction to go on one of these old rides anyway? Especially when one of the big three down the coast will only cost $50 entry for the entire day. I will write tomorrow of our adventures at the Greek Festival..