By Jessica Bauerkemper – Sun Telegraph
SIDNEY – The smell of funnel cakes and the view from the top of the ferris wheel. Nothing is quite like the atmosphere at the county fair.
Sun Valley Rides makes the experience one to remember as they once again prepare to provide fun, family entertainment July 29 through Aug. 2.
Manager Rick Mahoney said he loves Sidney, it’s “like coming home.”
“We’ve gotten to know people here over the last few years,” he said. “I love this town.”
This is the fourth year for Sun Valley Rides at the Cheyenne County Fair and Mahoney said the employees have enjoyed every bit of it.
The carnival’s home base is in Peoria, Ariz., near Phoenix, but as most carnivals and circuses do, spends most of the time away from home.
“We travel 10 months out of the year,” he said.
Last summer the carnival was very much affected by inflated fuel prices.
“Gas in Texas was $4.59 a gallon,” he said. “One thing people don’t realize is that the price of gas
really affects us.”
This summer fuel prices are lower than last year. A blessing for the traveling business.
Sun Valley usually travels throughout the mid and southwest. It even gained notable national exposure a few years ago.
The carnival was featured in Touchstone Pictures 2007 hit movie “Wild Hogs” starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy and although the recognition is great, a movie credit is not all the carnival has to boast about.
Sun Valley Rides features a thrilling, vintage 1934 octopus.
While the 65-year-old octopus may hold some nostalgia for some carnival-goers, the most popular ride is the Gee Wizz – a pick ‘em up and drop ‘em kind of ride.
Whether you like the antique octopus or the topsy turvy rides, Sun Valley’s slogan promises a place “where the sun never sets on the fun.”
The carnival will be open Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Thursday, July 30 is family night where patrons can purchase a wristband for a discounted rate.
[ad#Google Adsense-nottoowide]