This is the last year that I'm paying $5.00 for three darts to throw at balloons in order to get a little stuffed frog. OR $7.00 to scoop four rubber duckies out of a tub of water in order to get a stuffed snake and polar bear. AND it's the last time I pay $12.00 to go on rickety, dusty, broken down boring rides.
I'm sure you've guessed it by now. It's carnival season!
Last night I took the kids to my home town carnival. Was the carnival always this bad?? I wonder if it's gotten worse or if I'm just seeing it through adult eyes. Games that used to seem like so much fun (I find) are just stupid now. The carnies seem scummier looking and more bored with their jobs than ever before. And I know at these things that I'm going to get ripped off a bit, but I detest feeling totally ripped off. $9.00 for two measly bags of cotton candy!!
I could tell that even the kids were disappointed in the fair. But, I'll bet they'll want to go next year. I won't be paying, though. They're earning their own money for extra things they want now, and I think the carnival fits perfectly in that category. When they see what 5 bucks gets you at a carnival, I have a feeling they'll only be paying once, too.
I thought of Peter, actually, as I was walking through the carnival last night. I am NOT a poet, but I felt a poem coming on. Or at least, the subject of a poem. Something about the disillusionment of the carnival. How as a kid, the lights, sounds, smells, and busy activity of a fair is mesmerizing and thrilling. Seeing it all through adult eyes, however, is oh so disappointing. See? I'm not a poet!
This morning we're going to the parade. At least THAT'S free!
8 comments:
I know what you mean. Carnivals seemed a lot more fun when I was a kid and didn't have to pay for them. We have our big Rose Festival comming up here and there are parades and the fun center which is basically a carnival. The fun center is just so expensive though especially since you have to pay $3 a person just to get in, thats $15 right off the top before we even get to do anything!
I do love the parades though (we have 3 during Rose Festival) and they are free as long as you can stear clear of the vendors trying to sell over priced toys!
I used to love carnivals too when I was a kid...we really don't get too many carnivals here. If we do I feel like we need to take advantage and go just because we don't have any amusements parks anywhere close to us. But as my kids have gotten older they have realized some things are a rip off...they will share a bag of cotton candy and other things to stretch our money. I usually tell them this is all I have so they try to make the most of it.
I know what you mean about the carnies...some can be pretty scary and last year I wouldn't let my kids go on a ride at our state fair by the looks of one guy.
When I was little my mom made a guy stop the Hurricane ride I was on because she suddenly got nervous and wanted me off. He stopped the ride...and just minutes after I got off the guy took a few steps and passed out.
LOL...Debbie the last comment was from me...after I clicked post I realized Google was logged in for my Hunter...he has his own e-mail account now and I guess he didn't log off...
Do you go to Klondike Days here in Edmonton? Or whatever it's called now. We used to go all the time, but haven't gone in years. Not too far from me is a town called Morinville and it's put on a little carnival for the past two or three years. My kids are all teenagers but I hear from alot of moms with little ones that it's fantastic. Clean and fun and the people running things are like you and I. Meaning normal with no criminal records.
That is something we didn't do with the kids...take them to a carnival. We have never taken them to Klondike Days (Capital Ex now) either. Just thought it was one big ripoff. I would assume you are talking about the carnival in the town to the south of us?
Thanks for the warning. Hope there were other things to do and see that weren't such a big ripoff.
That does sound like a rip off and your description of the carnies makes the whole place sound a little seedy.
Debbie, you too used to enjoy Carnivals and perhaps the excitement was in part the atmosphere and emotions together with those around enjoying the day.
I would luv to read a poem of the day - as you have created an image of your experience - which would be wonderful for you to put down on paper.
Give it a go!!
I must proof read more!!
'you' should read 'I' too used to enjoy Carnivals.
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