Almost every year since 1278 a massive fun fair has come to Kingston-upon-Hull.
It takes up the entire parking lot of KC Stadium (Hull’s football stadium) and is filled with rides, games, food and people. While on the bus on our way to the fair my friends and I spotted the dancing lights of the rides. A childlike excitement seemed to overcome all of us, and we weren’t even there yet.
Getting off the bus we were almost instantly surrounded by people. People eating sweets, candy floss (cotton candy) and chips (fries).
There were children being led by the hand while hugging tight to their new stuffed toys. There were teenagers and new couples trying to act cool while in line for an adrenaline inducing ride.There was stall after stall of fried food. Some were only selling types of licorice, others offered Chinese and some many different flavors of fudge. With the bombardment of good smells it was hard not to spend all my money on food, but I was saving it for the rides…
…And there were a ton. There were rides that spun in circles, ones that spun and swung, ones that spun, swung and went upside down. Rides that took you through a
haunted house and ones that were mini roller coasters for children. If you enjoy zipping around in a gigantic circle at 83 mph while going upside down and experiencing 4.2g’s then there was a ride for you (pictured below). Three of my friends were brave enough to go on it and had a blast; I chickened out.
As far as I could tell every ride had at least one duplicate which I thought was odd until I realized that the waiting period was, at most, ten minutes. The only attractions I saw that stood alone were a Ferris wheel and a gigantic swing ride.
Four of us went on one that (and this is the best way I can describe it) was a teacup ride on steroids. You sat on a semicircular, padded bench with a bar across your lap. The ride went in a circle that rose and fell. People would come around and spin your bench while the ride was moving. It resulted in my feet not quite trusting the ground was level and non-moving for a good 6 to 7 minutes afterward. All of us were half laughing, half screaming during it; the sign of a good ride in my opinion.
One ride in particular was my favorite. It was the gigantic swing ride; claiming to be the tallest in the world. It wasn’t a ride for adrenaline seekers, but it was one for those who wanted to see the city from way up high. You sat on a two person swing (strapped in of course) and were taken high into the air while spinning at a slow enough pace to take in the scenery. I loved being able to see the city at night as it stretched out below me and met with the night sky and the clouds in the distance. I could see the entire fair below me and what had seemed so big now seemed very small. It was cold and the wind was whipping through me, but there was something calming about it; something peaceful. I had a moment just to myself to take in the world; I remember smiling.
My experience at the fair was something special and one I’m not likely to forget. I had a blast exploring with my friends while surrounded by so many different people, accents, foods, and attractions. On Friday night I didn’t feel like an outsider looking in, but just like everyone else enjoying a 722 year old tradition.
If you would like more posts like this please let me know in the comments 🙂
Sounds so fun!
The photos are awesome. I love the swing ride here at the Deschutes County Fair. I wish I was on that high one with you!!!!
Love, Sara*
Thanks! I love that ride too! It was a really pretty view, I’m sure you would have liked it. 🙂
You experienced something with a 722 year history! And it exceeded any expectation you might have had previous to going to it! I am so glad that you had such a great time.
Thanks! It was a lot of fun
The sweets look amazing. I’d have to cross myself before entering that space. Even if I picked one of everything, I’d be overwhelmed. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of history and culture. x
You’re welcome and thank you for reading!