Here's your fair 'ticket to ride'
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on September 26, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Melody Thomas shows off her first place winning potted plant which she grew from a little piece given to her by her late sister Carol who passed away from cancer 16 years ago.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
From left, Victoria Harrell, 13, celebrates her birthday with friends Victoria Combs, 18, and Ally Smith, 11, while riding the Cliff Hanger at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair on Thursday afternoon.
With 48 dazzling rides to choose from, it's hard to know where to hop in line first. We polled the audience, rode all of the rides and compiled a list of superlatives so you can maximize your fun at the fair.
1. WORTH THE WAIT: the Ferris wheel has the longest lines of the fair. This iconic ride gives guests a bird's eye view of the fair in a calming, slow ride.
Runner-up: The Freak Out has the second longest lines. It is far more thrilling than the Ferris wheel. The rotating ride swings on a pendulum, giving riders spins and drops.
2. MOST ICONIC: the Wave Swinger offers a tame and relaxing ride set to rock-a-billy songs. The swings are perfect for guests of all ages.
Runner-up: No fair is complete without the Tilt-a-Whirl. These rotating saucers get some real tilt and whirl that will leave the whole family giggling.
3. MOST THRILLING: The Fire Ball with its circular track is like being on a loop of a rollercoaster on repeat, which is thrilling enough. But then, it does it backwards for double the screams.
Runner-up: Pharaoh's Fury, the swinging gondola ride, gives riders the stomach lifting drops as it lifts them out of their seats for a millisecond before swinging the opposite direction.
4. ROUND AND ROUND: If you don't get dizzy, try the Sizzler on for size. This kid-friendly slings and spins riders, making it something to ride before indulging in fried fair food.
Runner-up: The Alien Abduction is sure to make you queasy as its centrifugal force keeps riders pushed to the wall.
5. BEST DATE RIDE: The Vertigo Ride is like the Wave Swinger, but with two seats fused together. Though high, it's the perfect way to take in the fairgrounds with your significant other.
Runner-up: The Ferris wheel is very romantic, however, this wheel seats four instead of just two, sealing its fate as runner-up.
6. KIDS' CHOICE: The caterpillar was a crowd favorite among those under 48 inches. This kiddy coaster has just enough turns and slopes for your kid to feel brave while not scared.
Runner-up: The slide allows kids to potato sack race Mom and Dad down two stories of shining plastic. Smaller kids can ride with an adult while older kids can race independently.
7. GREAT HEIGHTS: The Super Shot tower is the highest drop you can find at the fair. While it's a quick plummet to the ground, the ride up is terrifyingly beautiful.
Runner-up: If you don't mind getting your feet off the ground, hop on the Sky Diver. This Ferris wheel look-alike's cages spin and go upside down, allowing a new perspective on its great height.
8. FLIP FOR IT: If you are head-over-heels in love with vertical tumbles, check out the Zipper. This ride locks you and a partner in a cage before flipping and plummeting riders to the ground, before slinging them back up. Not for the faint of heart.
Runner-up: Defy Gravity disguises itself as an Alien Abduction copy cat, but this ride uses its G-force to keep riders pushed to the wall while it raises up vertically.
9. MOST UNCOMFORTABLE: Sadly, not all rides are smooth. If you have neck trouble, stay away from Flying Bobs' jostling turns and rattling circles.
Runner-up: If you are over 48 inches, consider avoiding the Haunted House. The child-sized carts are not kind on the knees as it bumbles along its track of haunted horrors.
10. FAMILY FAVORITES: The Cliff Hanger puts riders on their stomach and allows them to fly like Superman. It seats three in each row and was hugely popular with guests of all ages.
Runner-up: The Genesis seats large groups for its clock-like drops. Most people exit this ride still laughing.