Fun at the fair

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By Brandy Nance (Contact)

Friday, August 1, 2008

Photo by Adam Vogler

Emporians Joel Eland, 16, left, and Jasmine Greene, 17, stand in front of the ferris wheel at the Lyon County Free Fair Carnival Thursday, July 31.

The first night of wristband night at the Lyon County Free Fair carnival was packed to the brim by 6:30 p.m. and lines were starting to form for the rides. But the carnival isn’t just about the thrill of the rides, it’s a place for youth to hang out with friends with the added bonus of having a lot of fun.

Four friends met at the carnival Thursday evening and were laughing and talking before getting ready to buy a pass to the rides. Sam Johnson, 13, Angelica Brockelman, 13, Ren Rossillon, 13, and Haley Ramirez, 13, all of Emporia, were excited for the opportunity to hang out at the fair.

“It’s fun,” Sam said. “It’s awesome! And lots of friends (to hang out with).”

Sam said he usually only comes on wristband nights.

Angelica, on the other hand, comes to the carnival just about every night, she said.

“Mainly just come to see my friends,” she said with a smile. “It’s fun.”

For Ren, it is about both the rides and the friendship.

“I just like spinning around,” he said. “And talking to friends.”

Ren said he comes around twice during the fair.

Haley is another frequenter but only on wristband nights. She too says it’s about the rides and the friends.

While at first glance it may seem like it’s all about hanging out, three youths standing in line for the Ali Baba were enjoying the rides, sporting red wrist bands, which gave them unlimited rides from 6 to 10 p.m. Just after 6 p.m., Megan Dorcas, 13, Heather Mitchell, 13, and Ashley Mitchell, 11, were already waiting in line. The top rides between the three — the Ali Baba and the Ring of Fire.

“It’s fun,” Megan said. “I come whenever I can.”