Published: August 13, 2007 03:41 pm      

Some fairs doing away with carnival rides

County fairs across Indiana are a chance for visitors to experience farm animals, food and fun — but this year more than a quarter of county fairs did not include midway rides and games.

Without the carnival atmosphere, the focus falls on kids and their 4-H projects.

"We like to keep the focus on the 4-H program, and family and youth; and not drag in all the other things that come along with a carnival," said Danielle Robinson, president of the 4-H Council in Hamilton County, which had a fair without rides this year.

Some counties do not have rides at fairs because of a lack of funding, while fair officials in other counties simply don't want the rides. This year, 27 percent of counties held 4-H exhibitions without midway rides, The Indianapolis Star reported Monday.

"I have had people tell me years ago there was a carnival," said Kathy Murray, Fountain County youth educator. "But the residents and volunteers of Fountain County prefer that we keep it the way it has been for many years. They want to center their attention on the youth of Fountain County."

But some like the colorful games and rides of the midway. Indiana State Fair leaders say they can't imagine the fair without rides.

"As with a lot of county fairs, our primary mission is to educate the public about agriculture," said fair spokesman Andy Klotz. "We just happen to do it in a very entertaining, fun way ... and the midway is a big part of that."

Carnival areas can bring in a lot of money, as well, said Nadeen Biddinger, treasurer of the Marion County Fair.

"One of the things the 4-H'ers do when they win money for their prizes, they go right over and spend it on the rides," Biddinger said.

Susan Woodhouse, 39, Carmel, attended Hamilton County's fair for the first time this year. Although she was surprised that there were no rides, she wasn't upset.

"I assume that that's going to be here, just because it's a fair," Woodhouse said. "I wouldn't let my kids ride on them anyway."

Her daughters, Hannah and Katie, didn't seem to mind the lack of rides. Katie, 7, said her favorite part of the fair is seeing animals.

"I like the fair the way it is," she said.