Ottawa Herald, The (KS)
Published: July 15, 2011
Rides.
Games.
Carnival food.
The Franklin County Fair and Rodeo is long recognized for its support of local 4-H’ers with such activities as livestock shows, various indoor exhibits, rodeo events and the demolition derby, but those aren’t the only things attracting residents and out-of-town visitors to the fairgrounds.
The carnival portion of the fair also entices people to brave the heat, bringing them flocking to the midway at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 1737 S. Elm St., Ottawa. From such carnival classics as the ferris wheel and the carousel to pony rides and hot festival food, the fair attempts to cater to a wide range of attendees’ interests. While waiting in line for a ride called “The Sizzler,”
Matthew Rodina, 11, Ottawa, and his friend Jordan Hough, 11, Ottawa, both said they only come to the fair for the “rides and to hang out with friends.” Each boy was brandishing the yellow bracelets that can be purchased for unlimited access to the rides.
“We’re coming out here every night,” Rodina said.
The carnival and entertainment at the fair open at 6 p.m. today and Sunday. Ottaway Amusement Company provides the action at the carnival, which began Thursday evening and offers an array of rides, games and entertainment. Individual tickets can be purchased for the rides or fair-goers can buy a bracelet for $25 that provides for an unlimited amount of rides.
Amy Eneihen, 29, Ottawa, said she purchased bracelets for her whole family, including herself.
“We come just for the rides,” Eneihen said. “My favorite is the Tilt-O-Whirl.”
The ride, which consists of passengers in cars spinning in different directions at varying speeds, also is a favorite of her children, who range in age from 18 months to 12 years old.
Robert Potter and his wife traveled all the way from Oregon to visit family in the Ottawa area. They attended the fair with their grandchildren, ages 3 and 13.
“We just brought the grandkids out tonight,” Potter said Thursday.
A longtime companion — and something that has come to be expected at many summer festivals — also can be found on the midway: carnival food. Vendors offer attendees everything from caramel apples and cotton candy to hot dogs and curly-fries. And, of course, one vendor’s stand was selling only one popular carnival staple — a powdered sugar-coated treat — funnel cakes.
Chadeen Crocker, an Ottaway employee working concessions, said at her stand the fries and corndogs, which are made from scratch, were the most popular item.
Concessions worker Robert van Gooswilligen said the cotton candy had outsold everything else offered at his stand.
Many of those in attendance Thursday evening also planned to take part in that night’s annual barbecue dinner at the fairgrounds. The barbecue offered locally provided food including a barbecue sandwich, chips, potato salad, beans and a cold beverage.
Louis and Patricia Parsons, Ottawa, found themselves at the fairgrounds on Thursday evening because they said they had nothing else to do and wanted some barbecue.
In addition to the barbecue, more vendors placed randomly throughout the food garden near Celebration Hall were selling such items as nachos, burritos and more hot dogs.
While some area residents admittedly only go for the rides and games — and some just for the food — that’s not the case for Teresa Oshman, Quenemo.
Oshman said that while her boys, Matthew, 14, and Steven, 16, come out for the rides and to spend time with friends, she doesn’t.
“I come more for the rodeo,” Oshman said. “My son’s friend who came with us said he’d never been to a rodeo. How can you grow up in Kansas and not go to a rodeo?”
Angelique McNaughton 