SKOWHEGAN — The more they get scared, the more they ride.
That was the message at the 196th annual Skowhegan State Fair on Sunday from John Flynn, vice president of Fiesta Shows, operators of the midway rides and games of skill.
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And the more they ride Pharaoh’s Fury — the midway’s most popular ride — the more they come back for more, said Flynn, of Seabrook, N.H.
Flynn said sunny days Saturday and Sunday gave the annual event a boost.
“I think the attendance is on par — when we started off we had a little bit of bad weather, but when the weather’s here the people definitely come out,” Flynn said Sunday. “We’ve seen a lot of baby carriages and families — it’s a great time.
“I think we’re going to have a great fair, a lot of rides here and they’ll have a great time — they haven’t seen The Sky Diver here before. That’s a new ride in here, and we have a couple of new kiddie rides in here. There’s a little bit of everything for the entire family.”
Fiesta Shows has brought back the popular Ferris Wheel, which was dropped from the fair a couple of years ago just to change things around a little and to alternate the rides, Skowhegan Fair President and CEO Gene Dean said at the time.
“The Ferris Wheel is popular — I think people like to get up on it, look over the fairgrounds and the racetrack,” Flynn said Sunday. “You get a nice view of the area — all of Skowhegan.”
Flynn said the most popular ride on the midway continues to be Pharaoh’s Fury, which he described as “a big thrill ride — like a big ship going back and forth”.
The state fair continues Monday — senior citizen’s day when gate admission is $4 for anyone 62 and older. Gates open at 7 a.m., with the antique power show opening at 10 a.m. The exhibition halls open at noon and the midway opens at 1 p.m., as do horse pulling events in the coliseum and harness racing. The big draw Monday night will be competing events set for 7 p.m. I.W.E. Independent Wrestling Entertainment is on stage in front of the bingo hall on the midway, and the demolition derby gets crashing in the grandstand area.
Parking is $4 per car. Ride bracelets are $15 per day. Gate admission Monday is $8.
The fair runs through Saturday.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter: @Doug_Harlow
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