Funfairs - are they generally shit, or did we just get a jobby one?

[WonderingWhy]

Took Ds's today as it was dull weather and I saw it was on in the paper - trying to be a good and fun mother, of course and actually it was a real let down.

There were about 10 rides, mainly the sort that are very fast and dangerous and throw you 100ft in the air, so no good for a 5yo - the children's ones, well all two of them, were boring as heck. he went on the helter skelter and liked that, I won him a balloon that popped, all the stallholders were yelling at us to try their thing, and it was noisy and stank of diesel.

We all left, miserable, after an hour, all the people running it were miserable and moody as well.

Never again! It's sitting on the carpet with a puzzle book next weekend. Much more fun!

[oxocube]

They are always extremely crap and extremely expensive IME. Sadly we have one that comes to our town every year, 5 mins away from our house actually, and my kids love it

[crazedupmom]

WonderingWhy
I hate them with a passion.
Loud music, teenagers dossing, etc etc.
Also don,t trust them for safety and they cost a fortune.
I do prefer places such as Drayton Manor really, even though I know they are also expensive, they have a much nicer feel about them.

[WonderingWhy]

Feeling reassured! Thanks

I wish my kids had at least enjoyed it...I was about a fiver down when we made our escape, so not too awful a financial disaster, but my eldest was looking so depressed I could have laughed if I had had the strength!

He was saying 'This is awful'

[WonderingWhy]

I suppose i thought it might be good because I used to like the Smiths, you know, it has that dreary Manchester glamour doesn;t it.

'and someone falls in lvoe, and someone's beaten up...' etc

[notnowbernard]

I love them

The travelling ones especially

Dp thinks I am mental

[twinsetandpearls]

we went to a crap one today, the kids loved it though

[pointydog]

They are full of excitement for children. They have a certaon frisson. I have to work quite hard at raising the same sort of enthusiasm.

[Milliways]

Have you ever been to Carter's Steam Fair? They tour the South East and I think they have a great atmosphere to take little kids to as they do have some very traditional small rides.

Side stalls are still a rip off though!

The free fireworks are always worth a look

[WonderingWhy]

Ooh they sound ace Milli.
Will look out for it.
Thankyou.

[Milliways]

carters steam fair locations

[lazarou]

and if you go on the ghost train, there's a man in a cape who jumps out at you, and goes 'raahh'

[themoon66]

The last one that came wanted £5 per ride. Crap. Never again.

[WonderingWhy]

Ooh thanks Milli! Nothing near us there but will book mark it!

[AbstractMouse]

OOh I've seen the signs for carters but never bothered to go, will deffo give it a go next time. Dd absolutely loves the fair, but mostly wants to go to the stalls to win a cuddly toy, which I hate as they are such an obvious rip off, and dp won't go on the waltzers with me I love the waltzers.

I do have fond memories of fairs though as aged 15 me and a group of friends followed it round the area during the summer holidays. We fancied
(a frankly hideous) guy, but we had such a good time, really hilarious and magical.

[AngryMum345]

What are you on about, funfairs are class