Its Fair Time!

[Melody]

In Fredericton, we called it the Fredericton Exhibition (http://www.frex.ca/) (FREX), here in BC its called the Pacific National Exhibition (http://www.pne.ca/playland/) (PNE). Whatever you call it, late Summer / Fall is fair time in Canada.

The PNE goes for 17 days. Playland, where the PNE visits, is open for the Summer. Playland has a decent amount of rides and the money-grubbing games. You pay an admission and ride as much as you want. I got in this afternoon, the last day of Playland before the PNE (when prices are high and line-ups are long). A spontaneous decision after a dentist appointment as the office closed at noon today.

I only have one beef - the ride seats. Yes I know my butt isn't teenaged anymore, but its not THAT big. The bars go in so far and the seats are often molded, all to perfect sized skinny person, and I mean skinny. Sheesh, 'imperfect' figures enjoy the rides too - who decided they shouldn't be able to? I got into them all, but its was darn close on occasion, and very embarassing. If you're over a size 12, forget about it, your butt ain't welcome here and it ain't gonna fit. Got a beer belly? Sorry, no room at the inn.

Other than that, it was a lot of fun! Any other big kids love the Fair?

[hp10BII]

Other than that, it was a lot of fun! Any other big kids love the Fair?

I do! I do!

I grew up within walking distance from the PNE fairgrounds and was always the highlight of the summer, rain or shine. We let our eldest kid plan the events out for us so she'll map out the most amount of events to give us maximum fun time. No playland rides during the actual exhibition though, we do that maybe a couple weeks before or after when the crowds (lineups) are smaller and less $$.

Always superdogs, acrobats, petting farm, pig races, bbq chicken, cotton candy, mini doughnuts, showmart/flea market for the big kids...

[CACAdmin]

I just love rides but haven't been to Playland in several years. (nobody wants to go anymore:( ... somehow I think I'm the only big kid left.) Glad I found out I'm not alone. Glad to hear you had fun Melody! :yes:

I would much rather have been there with you than driving a bus downtown on a Friday afternoon/evening. It was nuts!... I started at 3, ended at 10:30 and only got to stop once (to go to the washroom) and even then had to keep people waiting at the bus stop even though I was already 5 minutes late. Sheeesh! Never had another second to so much as get out of the seat or have anything to eat. Then I missed my bus home so had to wait another 1/2 hour (yup, we bus drivers take transit too!)

OK, end of my rant. But Melody, I somehow think they design these rides for the teenagers with no butts. They forget that we adults like to have fun too (and not every teen has a skinny butt either).

Did you go on Coaster? (my favorite). To clue the rest of you in it's our Wooden Roller Coaster which is world famous. And like all older rides the seats fit everyone... no straps, no molded seats, just hang on and enjoy the ride! (Best seats are the front and the back.)

[KnaveTO]

I haven't been to the CNE or Canada's Wonderland in YEARS!

[Melody]

Then its time you did - the rides make even the coolest individual laugh and it sure brings back the childhood. C'mere & we'll measure your butt :laugh: .

Jay, I don't do the rollercoasters but the kid and his buddy went on both. I did try it once, many moons ago.

I still like the good ol' Scrambler and miss the Tilt-a-whirl (caution, its replacement, the 'Breakdance' has molded seats and gut-bending bars). We also hit the Pirate Ship & Musical Ride, etc etc etc.

I left the doughnuts & cotton candy to the kid - I was suddenly all too aware of my hips at that point :wideeyed: .

[KnaveTO]

Well 40 years old here and haven't gained all that much over the years so I can still fit into those seats but then again the Thorne's were always a thinish clan... lol

[Melody]

If you haven't been there in years, you have a surprise coming for your hips...lol...even my 13 year old is having to plaster himself to the back to get some of those bars down. I thought the pirate ship was going to give me a breast reduction:wideeyed: OUCH!!!! I didn't slouch the second time, lemme tell you! The molded seats are still doable, but I molded things that haven't seen a mold in years to do it :laugh: .

[CACAdmin]

Sure sounds like you had fun despite having various body parts compressed.:laugh: It must have been hard to resist the mini donuts though especially with the kids eating them in front of you.

[Melody]

I had lunch before I went - learned that lesson long ago.:yes:

[CACAdmin]

That wouldn't stop me... but of course that could explain why my closet now contains pants in two sizes (last year's and this.:laugh: ).

[Katalyst]

I haven't been to the CNE or Canada's Wonderland in YEARS!
I haven't been to Wonderland yet but I'm hoping to go before the summer ends!

Hey Mel, after passing a mirror and being home on my butt for a year, I'll pass on the butt measuring k?

[Melody]

LOL I hear ya!

[Toirtis]

My butt fits just dandy on all the rides at the Stampede (its been a few years since I hit the PNE last), but my shoulder-width and height do me no favours (and I am not a tall guy)...I nearly got stuck on a funhouse slide this summer, and found a couple of the restraints a bit...restraining.

[Melody]

So when we hear guys screaming on the rides... they're not having good thrills??:wideeyed:

[Katalyst]

:rofl:

[Melody]

I'm going to listen next time to see if they have higher voices when they get off the ride. This may be grounds for a protest.

[hp10BII]

So when we hear guys screaming on the rides... they're not having good thrills??:wideeyed:

2 things...

Depends on the type of scream...

Who they're sitting next too...:laugh:

[Katalyst]

I would imagine it starts out sounding like...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! and by the end sounds like Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Yeah yeah yeah, so I need to get a life. Whatever! :laugh:

[Melody]

Well if they were sitting next to me it would certainly be up close and they may have to rescue my chest from a bar - thrills alright.:rolleyes:

There's a tip for ya guys! You're on a fair ride, the bar is coming down, you reach over and squeeze them back for a girl and tell her you were just saving them from injury!

Call me first - I want to get that for U-Tube. Probably still end up with a guy doing that particular scream....

[hp10BII]

:laugh: ...I think I'll keep my hands to myself, can't handle too many thrills in one afternoon anymore.

[Melody]

A wise man....lol

[CACAdmin]

:laugh: ...I think I'll keep my hands to myself, can't handle too many thrills in one afternoon anymore.

Ditto. And anyways, Melody, with my luck, if I took your advice, I'd probably find myself barely conscious for the duration of the ride as a result of a smack upside of my skull for being so considerate as to 'render assistance':twitcy:

[Pamelajo]

Our Fair starts the weekend after schools in. We usually make and appearance, but no rides for me. Terrified of heights and anything that has circular motion faster than a merry go round makes me ill. I do love the white water rapids ride at Wonderland though.