With most of the year behind us already comes a definitive look ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Whoa! Not even ready to go there yet! So, before jumping ahead too quickly let's step back to events of fall that strike at our heartstrings with probably the absolute fondest memories of childhood. What could that possibly be—changing of colours?, falling leaves?, crispness to the air as chilling temperatures replace triple digits?, walks in the afternoon warranting a light sweater?, sips of hot cocoa on a chilly afternoon? While all of those might be possibilities, none seem to reflect childhood memories. Have you guessed it? Yep - the fall carnival! The traveling carnival usually accompanies an area's fall festival.
The Ferris Wheel
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| The original Chicago Ferris Wheel, built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition |
The cost? 50 cents
Number of passengers carried daily? 38,000
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| Australian racegoers enjoy a merry-go-round at the Deepwater Races, circa 1910 |
Next in popularity to the ferris wheel is more than likely the carousel, often classified as a merry-go-round. The earliest known depiction of a carousel (dating to around 500 A.D.), however, depicts riders in baskets suspended from a central pole. In the mid-16th century onward, carousel was also the term for large "horse ballet" or Musical Ride spectacles. These were an intricate part of court festivities for special occasions, i.e., royal weddings or state visits. They replaced serious jousting, although non-combat competitions, such as the ring-tilt, still remained until the 18th century.
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| Photo Credit: Sharla Shults |
The carousel was always my favorite ride at the carnival. Painted ponies added joy and excitement as they jumped up and down synchronized with the revolving platform. The music was loud and remained ringing in my ears once the ride was over but not bad enough to keep me away from another ride.
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The Roller Coaster
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| Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884. |
Do you know how this ride got its start? The forerunner of the primitive roller coaster goes back to the 15th and 16th centuries making its debut as a Russian ice slide. In the early 1800s, the ice slides made their way into France with the first wheeled coaster premiering in 1804 in Paris. Eventually these rides migrated to the United States of America and it is theorized the first arrived in the 1870s.
One of the early inventions, which was actually the first roller coaster designed as an amusement ride in America, was the Switchback Railway fashioned after a mining hill company's downhill track used to deliver coal. This creation opened in the spring of 1884 in Coney Island, New York and was a smashing success.
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Of course, the mention of these represents only a few among many that top the list of early amusement rides. The Tea Cup, Tilt-a-Whirl and Swing Around hold fond memories as I recall events back in the day!
What are your fondest memories?
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A Circulary Story: The History of the Carousel
The Carousel Works
Painted Ponies
Old Coney Island Impressions
Carnivals and rides were my favorite thing as a child and young girl. The only ride I would not go on was the roller coaster and never have or will. But I loved everything else right down to the simple swing. Thanks for a lovely trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteMicki
Interesting about the roller coaster:>) It was OK by me but never was one of my favorites. Still love the carousel and ride one any time I can even to this day...even the ones in the malls! LOL:>)
DeleteI remember Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey when I was really little. They had the world's largest saltwater pool, and so many bands got their start there. The fun house was amazing. I think that was always my favorite attraction. Thanks for the memories. Like Palisades Park, which was torn down and made into high end apartment buildings, it is all memories of fun days gone by.
ReplyDeleteI remember pictures and songs about Palisades but never had the opportunity to visit. My experiences were with much smaller rural carnivals and festivals but they sure do hold a lot of great memories.
DeleteThis is such a GREAT trip into the past. I remember I loved the carousel when I was a kid. (And it only made me throw up once when my dad decided to give me as many rides as I wanted. LOL)
ReplyDeleteThanks for refreshing my memories...
Hi, Raani. Always glad to see you come by for a step back into the past. It was the Tilt-a-Whirl that did it for me!
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