claw machine

Here is the strangest thing about one of Germany's best celebrations - and they have some of the Europe's best - the Oktoberfest (translation: October Festival), actually starts in September. Having thought about this for years, mostly through a thick head, I can only conclude that this has come about because it's so good that no-one can wait for October to arrive and therefore everyone starts early! Oktoberfest originates from the wedding celebrations surrounding the marriage of the Crown Prince, later to become King Lugwig I of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hilburghausen. The marriage took place on October 17, 1810 and was celebrated with horse races and other popular entertainments of the day. These celebrations were soon incorporated with the agricultural show held around the same time and they have grown enormously ever since. Nowadays there are huge fairgrounds with shooting galleries, fairground stalls and side-shows along with all manner of other amus...

My mother didn't drive at the time, so my father took me down to the Motor Vehicle office to get my driver's license at the age of sixteen. At the time, the road test was not given on the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico (where I live), but at the New Mexico State Fair Grounds. A course was laid out on the grounds. My father had helped me buy a car (reluctantly), so we went down to the state Fairgrounds to take the road test. I was, obviously, nervous as I had never done anything like this before. We waited in line, of course, and got all the preliminaries out of the way and waited. My name was called, and I was ready to take the road test...I was anxious to do so. My father waited until I was finished. Me and the driving instructor headed out in the parking lot, where my car was parked, and he checked things out to see if everything was in order and then he got in on the passenger side. He told me where to begin the road test, and off we went off to begin the test. I was...

The Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the perfect way to spend a weekend away from home with family and friends. And to enjoy this bike rally you don't need to invest a lot of money: forty dollars is enough. This rally is held at the Union Country Fairgrounds. Other than the usual biking events like racing and stunts, visitors can enjoy themselves by participating in pudding wrestling matches or sit back and watch musical performances. In order to reach this destination you should definitely use your motorcycle if you possess one. The road leading here is excellent for a bike ride. Twisted pathways bordered with picturesque hills and surrounded with cities dotted here and there are some of the details observed here. If you want to know what is in store for you at the Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally then read on. o This rally has been hosted in the Union Country Fairgrounds for the past 15 years. It was attended by a mere 2000 people when it first started in 1993. However, t...

Des Moines, Iowa may not sound like the hottest spot in the United States, but it features more than its share of fun and festivals. If you happen to live in the area or are visiting, be sure to take in one of these annual events that take place in Des Moines throughout the year. Midwest Art Fest If you enjoy art, you will want to take in the annual Art Festival as well as the Midwest Art Fest. You can attend both shows that take place the first weekend in May at the Fairgrounds in downtown Des Moines. If you enjoy art, this is an ideal way for you to get two art festivals for the price of one. The downtown show runs a complimentary shuttle for those who are staying in the city and is considered one of the biggest Midwest art festivals. CelebrAsian Heritage Festival The second weekend in May is the CelebrAsian Heritage Festival that has been taken place for over a decade. This event includes cultural exhibits, foods, entertainment, carnival rides and more and is considered to b...

The Oklahoma State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City is a multi-purpose arena located on the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Also called "The Big House", the arena can accommodate 10,944 people and is the third largest multipurpose arena owned by Oklahoma City after the Ford Center and the Cox Convention Center arena. When opened, the building had the largest roof of its kind in the world and was named the James Norick State Fair Arena after the mayor of OKC at the time. The Big House in OKC was home to the Central Hockey League franchise, the Oklahoma City Blazers, from 1965 to 1977, and has also played host to the state high school basketball playoffs. The Oklahoma State Fairgrounds now hosts equine events, rodeos and horse-shows, while both the State Fairgrounds and the Big House serve as backup facilities for sporting events and concerts. The State Fair Park, OKC was where the 2008 horse show season concluded. Thanks to its splendid equine facilities, it's a favored destinati...

Popcorn was originally made in Mexico before the late 1800's, and is now eaten all over the world at cinemas, fairgrounds, parties and even at home. People may think that you can't create pop corn at home from scratch, but it is just corn that is popped hence its name. Of course you can't use any type of corn but there are plenty of popcorn supplies available on the market. Popcorn machines and heaters are readily available on the market for the general public to purchase. There are also endless popcorn supplies to help you choose the best flavour to suit your taste. They can also be a fashion statement available in a wide range of colours and sizes to suit your needs. Types of flavours Popcorn comes in a variety of flavours to suit all types of people. These flavours include: plain, salted, toffee, apple, strawberry, sweet and many more. Pop corn is also a low fat snack and most popcorn contains no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. Popcorn supplies are...

If you always go to the same places for first dates, searching for your one true love can start to feel a bit monotonous and, if you're getting a bit fed up with the same old scenery, that can come across as indifference to the person you are dating. While the usual options of coffee shops, bars and restaurants are all perfectly good places to strike up a conversation, if you are looking for a relationship which challenges and excites you, the dating scenario should reflect this. Here are five inspired dating ideas which should bring out the best in both of you. Ice skating If your date is a talented skater, you'll give them a chance to show off their skills and impress you. If they're a beginner, they may have to cling onto you for support. Either way, this date's a winner. Ice skating is romantic and graceful (or should be), and you'll probably share a few laughs with this dating option. Plus, there's something so romantic about getting down on one knee ...

How is it that two people, on the same fairground ride, may have such a totally different experience of the ride? One may feel terrified and hate every second of it, while the other gets a "rush" and a sense of exhilaration. What's happening here? It comes down to a very particular set of beliefs they each carry around with them and use to determine whether or not their values are being met. These special beliefs - which you have, as well - are your rules about your values. What's actually happening physically on the fairground ride is virtually the same for each person. But what each person makes that experience mean can be very different. Each of them is unconsciously applying a specific set of beliefs about their physical experience in the form of rules. The rule for one person may be something like 'I am putting myself in danger irresponsibly and pointlessly' and the rule for the other is 'I love the thrill of speed, it makes me feel so alive'. A...

The Costa del Sol not only offers beautiful beaches and a wide range of leisure options. It also offers an interesting range of shopping centres to suit all tastes. For those who enjoy shopping under a bright blue sky, we propose a ride along the coast of Malaga with its best malls. In Malaga city we find several shopping centers. Very near the train station is located in the Larios Shopping Centre. This mall is located in one of the best areas of Malaga, next to Avenida de Andalucia, in heart of the city, which facilitates access to it from the nearby towns. Two kilometers from Malaga airport lies the Plaza Mayor Leisure Park, with very good access from the motorway and the local train Malaga-Fuengirola. The Plaza Mayor has a large number of restaurants, family entertainment, live animations and shops with the typical Spanish Plaza as a basis. A day in Plaza Mayor is a unique experience. Visitors to Plaza Mayor can enjoy special evenings under the open sky and a unique opportuni...

If you would pick several hundred people from nations around the world and ask them to name one German holiday, you would have a crowd of people shouting at you, chanting, "OKTOBERFEST." Whether you are in the minority of people who might know exactly what Oktoberfest is, or you simply want to learn about some fun facts, keep reading. Oktoberfest is the world's largest fair to start. It runs for sixteen days and it celebrates everyone's favorite beverage: BEER! So, how many people do you think this event would bring in every year? The answer is six million people come and attend the October festival in Munich every single year! To the locals of Munich it's not called Oktoberfest but instead called "die Wiesn" which is the name of the fairgrounds upon which Oktoberfest is held. During the sixteen day event the fairgrounds will use as much electricity as a four person family will in five decades. All this power is well used to keep the seven million li...

The State Fair is a tradition held every year in Tampa, Florida. Uniquely it is held during what most of North America considers the coldest month of the year, February. While other states are packing in snugly for the winter snows Floridians are taking advantage of a cool, temperate time to celebrate. Perhaps one of the most interesting areas of the fairgrounds is 'Cracker Country,' yes, that's the name folks. Cracker Country was set up in the late seventies by a Mr. and Mrs. Carlton to give subsequent generations a chance to see what rural life in Florida was like from the late 1800's to the early 1910's. There are a wide range of rustic and antique buildings that have been brought to the fairgrounds from throughout the state and restored. You can find everything from a Corn Crib to a grand two story home. There are also plenty of demonstrations of old time activities for visitors to see and possibly try for themselves. Horse Lovers can tour the Equestrian Cen...

The anticipation began months ago when I first heard the news. To celebrate the 150th Indiana State Fair and continue the tradition of educating the general public about agriculture, a tractor parade was planned from downtown Indianapolis to the State Fairgrounds. The plan gave me goose bumps - 150 tractors (later reduced to 92 to represent each county in the state) parked at the center of downtown on display on Monument Circle, then parading the more than 5 miles back to the Fair! I immediately marked August 16th on my calendar, hoping my tractor would be selected. As time grew closer I learned that my tractor would be involved and the details started coming my way - when we had to get our tractors there, how the process would work, what was required of each driver, etc. While each new piece of information gave me new logistics to consider and plan, it also raised my excitement level. I watched the weather and learned we were going to have a perfect day. My wife planned to come do...

The final week of April through the first week of May marks the most colourful festival in all of Spain. Feria de Abril is held annually in Seville, and it's the largest fair in the region complete with costumed participants, horses, and extravagance at every turn. A more vibrant and lively festival you will not find than the Feria de Abril. This year, the dates of the week-long celebration are from midnight Monday, April 28, until midnight Sunday, May 3. Offering all the opportunities for an elaborate immersion into Spanish culture, abundant activities include strolling music players, street dancing, amazing culinary fare, and the chance to make new acquaintances or visit with family and friends. The festival takes place on the fairgrounds just across from Maria Luisa Park. It is located approximately 1.25 km northeast of the centre of Seville. The fair begins with the illumination of thousands of colourful light bulbs, stretched all along the fairground and the main entrancew...

Stratford is a Southwestern Ontario town that is situated on the banks of the Avon river. Both the city and the river were named after England's Stratford - upon - Avon of Shakespearean fame. According to the 2006 census, the town's population is just over 30,000. Originally a railway junction, Stratford became a furniture manufacturing centre for Ontario. In 1933 there was a furniture strike that marked the last time the Canadian army was deployed to break up a strike. Stratford has a rich history, but it is the attractions found there today that make it a popular tourist destination. Here are just a few: 1. Stratford Shakespeare Festival: The addition of this attraction was really a no brainer. The annual Shakespeare festival is synonymous with the city. This festival which runs from April to November is incredibly popular. Theatre-goers, actors and playwrights flock to the city to take part. Many of the best Canadian and American actors have graced the stage at Stratfo...

It was a typical July day in Gravelbourg, hot, and dry. Me and Denis Bouchard had just finished a game of snooker and paid our two bits for it to old man Lenoir, Gisèle Lenoir's grandpa. He was a big, slow moving, extra quiet guy. He always sat in an easy chair in the corner of the pool hall facing the tables. After closing, he might have played a little poker in the back room. That room was off limits to kids but stories about money changing hands filtered out to us enough to make it a place of legend. As we came out into the bright sunlight, Butch asked me if I wanted to go to the fairgrounds. Denis' nickname was Butch. Butch was also his older brother Al and his younger brother Gil's nick name. In fact everybody in town called his dad and even his mom Butch. But as far as I was concerned the only real Butch was Denis. According to Butch there was horse races going on down at the fairgrounds. Not sure if we called it Heritage Days back then but anyway, we had corn hus...

The 5th season starts with the slogan Ischa Freimaak, it's free-fair. The fun begins on the 16th of Oct. and continues for 17 days. On the Bremer Bürgerweide its action, speed and party. On the market square its back to the Middle Ages with old-fashioned carousels, handicrafts, sweets, spicy liquorice, smoked eel and other culinary delights. The Bremer Freimarkt is rightfully called the Carnival of the North and during the 17 days there is no closing time for pubs! Light cascades, thrills on high-tech fairground rides, smoked eels, traditional handicrafts and merry-go-round, BBQ steaks and sausages, cotton candy, the list of attractions and fun options is endless. 100,000 square meter action on the Bremer Freimarkt, Bürgerweide Since many years now Bremen's Fairground Festival is held on the right side of the River Weser, next to the main train station on the Bürgerweide. Around 4 million visitors join in the festivities each year in the second half of October and discove...

Dodgems, carousels, and candy floss: nowadays, we couldn't imagine a funfair without them. But let's take a step back in time, and see just how much has changed... The tradition of gathering for both trade and entertainment dates right back to the dawn of civilization. But as the nineteenth century approached, the focus began to shift from commerce, to amusements. Jugglers, acrobats, musicians and magicians were a common sight, and funfair rides such as the carousel appeared - albeit in horse-drawn form. In was in the Victorian era, though, that the fairground as we know it today really took shape. Amusements became big industry. Local fairs faded in comparison to the excitement of big, travelling shows; and whilst traditional stalls such as coconut shies and the 'Hammer Bell' strength test remain popular to this day, it was the advent of steam power that really brought a whole new level of fun to the fair. In 1868, an engineer called Frederick Savage set the tren...

The sun was down some when we reached the fairgrounds, Lamoure and I, it was after five o'clock. We laid there in the grass behind the iron fence, and a building, the building somewhat hiding us, in the cool shade, it had been a hot day, and we had both told our parents we were staying over at each other's home, and taken off to find a new adventure, and so here we were, snug as a bug, in the fairgrounds, camping out, thinking of things, and getting rested for the night, and rather at ease and satisfied. I could see the sun going down at the other end of the fairgrounds, looking through an opening in the branches and leaves of a nearby tree, while laying on my back, and the moon fading into sight, with its gloomy gray interior. There were arc lights from the streets that spiffed light through the iron bar fence, and down and across our faces, somewhat breaking up as it bartered its way around the fence's open spaces. And from somewhere came a little breeze. A couple of ...

The Missouri State Fair may have started as small event to help showcase the agricultural economy of Missouri but now it's become a knock down drag out event that fills the town of Sedalia each year. For eleven days starting in early August you'll find all the prerequisites of a good time at the fair, drinks, good food, music, farm animals! If you haven't seen it at the Missouri State Fairs exhibits then it probably doesn't exist. There are a wide range and variety of items to be seen on display at the fair. You can find home-cured ham, wine, gigantic catfish, wedding dresses, chainsaw sculptors and more. The Nightlife at the state fair is truly rocking. You'll be surrounded by the glare of neon lights as the sun sets and around 7:30 pm or so music will start booming out from such places of entertainment as the Pepsi Grandstand, Budweiser Stage and other stages set up for entertaining the visitors. Grab something sugary and bad for you to eat while you foll...

Oh, to be at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul! That would be the tops. It's filled with lots of events like Talent Contests, Horse Shows, the Midway and the Milk Run every year from late August until Labor Day. For those of you who are curious the Milk Run is an annual 5k run that finishes on the fairgrounds. You thought it was something different didn't you? The run begins early in the morning, often a couple of days after the start of the fair. It winds its way around the University of Minnesota and the neighborhood of St. Anthony Park and on to the fair. It's really exciting to be at the finish line cheering on the first runners to finish the course. The talent contests feature amateurs who've auditioned before the state fair judges earlier in the month. So there's no need to worry about watching bad acts. The contests are held for the first ten days of the fair. Semi finalists get to progress to the last of the competitions held in the Grandstand the day...

You can find the Michigan State Fair nestled on the fairgrounds of Detroit, not far from the Detroit River. From late August to early September the fair provides entertainment and education to visitors, many of whom visit during the Labor Day weekend. The more popular attractions and events include the free evening concerts, the Miracle of Life Exhibit, DNR/HCMA Outdoor Zone for kids, and Racing Pigs. Souvenirs can be found at the fair's Michigan Mart which is filled with small shops looking to provide a little something to visitors to take home. There are tee shirts, sweat shirts, hats, postcards, cookbooks, and lots of other items. One of the newest annual events to take up residence at the Michigan Fair is the Dog Agility Competition. Come watch dogs of all sizes and shapes compete with each other in agility races and obstacle courses in over fifty classes. Every dog can enter from the new amateur to the seasoned mutt for lots of ribbons, cash and funny moments. Remember eve...

As the summer winds down and the harvest comes in, the county and state fairs across the USA come alive. With its fried apple pies, pickled peaches, cotton candy, sweet tea, homemade ice cream, and barbeque pork, the fair is a place to find some of your favorite all-American food. Plus, there's music and entertainment for the whole family at a pretty affordable price. People from the surrounding areas gather at the fairgrounds, park their pickup trucks in grassy fields near the midway, and flock through the gates to experience the sites and sounds of a late summer pastime. And, why not? There's something for everyone of every age. The rural crowd and some animal-loving city folk may enjoy watching the cloggers at the community pavilion, the cooking demonstration, the livestock exhibits, or the historic pioneer village that recalls bygone days. They may walk on saw dust floors through the air pungent with the smell of dung to watch a hog race or put a sold sign on a couple o...

Funfair Rides and Attractions are becoming very popular ways to entertain guests at a large variety of events such as Summer Balls, Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs', Family Fun Days, Birthday Parties and many many more. I have found that using a few tried and tested tips will help ensure that everything runs smoothing even if you have never hired a fairground ride before. In fact, with this in mind and because there are always pitfalls to fall into I have put together my top ten tips to help make sure that your event does not fall into any of the traps. Always book from a reputable company, ideally one to which you have been recommended, or do not be afraid to ask for references. Consider the time of year of your event and choose your rides accordingly, ie: in the Winter try to choose rides with a roof or completely enclosed such as the venturer simulator. Large funfair rides such as Dodgems or Carousel come on heavy lorries, please take this into consideration when placing the ride...

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Spartanburg, South Carolina. As the temperatures cool and the leaves change colors, Spartanburg has lots of special activities going on. The nearby Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway offers visitors the chance to view the fall colors, and several special happenings in Spartanburg will provide fun activities for the entire family. The Spartanburg International Festival will be held on October 2 in downtown Spartanburg's Barnet Park. For 25 years the festival has given Spartanburg the opportunity to celebrate its cultural diversity. South America will be the honored continent this year, represented by Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. Festival attendees can stroll down the Avenue of Nations and learn about different cultures, taste exotic international foods, and sample beers and wines from around the world. Fair Trade exhibitors and vendors will showcase their folk art and commercial imports from around the g...

It's that time of the year again. As we move into the middle of the hot summer months, the surf and turf is rolling again in Del Mar. Yep, the horse races have started again. Del Mar is a beautiful little coast town located in the North County area of San Diego. It carries the profile of a large hill rolling down to the ocean. The northern section of Del Mar, however, is a valley heading inland with a waterway in which the tide goes in and out. In this area about a thousand feet from the ocean lies the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Del Mar Fairgrounds are pretty much what they sound like. Everything from flower shows to concerts are held there throughout the year. An actual full blown fair is also held every June. It's just closed to make way for the other big event at the track. Yep, the ponies run every year from the middle of July though early August. Given its location, it is hardly surprising that the Del Mar races are not your typical affair. While they have everything a...

I woke up to a cool crispness in the air this morning. Fall is finally here and I'm not talking fall in Vermont! I'm talking fall in southwest Florida. I just love being outdoors this time of year, taking our grandchildren to the parks, riding bikes, taking walks on the beach. But what I like most are the wonderful fall festivals. I love the pumpkin patches, hayrides, child friendly haunted houses, and the wonderful aroma of the food vendors. For vacationers in Florida, here are a few of Sarasota's fall festivals. Hunsader Pumpkin Festival takes place on the last three weekends of October in Bradenton, a town in greater Sarasota. Admission price includes craft show, live shows, musical entertainment, hayrides, pumpkin cannon viewing, chainsaw sculpting, playground, petting zoo and pioneer trades village. There are also all sorts of food and drink stands also. One of the best features is that children under age twelve get in free. In addition, entertainment for a small fee...

South Carolina State Fair As the weather turns cooler and the Fall season begins, South Carolina residents and visitors alike begin to look forward to one of the largest annual South Carolina events of the year. Each and every year, the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, SC become the home of the South Carolina State Fair. Right in the midst of Gamecock Football season, Halloween festivities, and holiday decorating, thousands of people make their way to Columbia, SC to enjoy the exciting entertainment that the South Carolina State Fair has to offer. What makes it such a unique and wonderful experience? Here are a few of the State Fair attractions, activities and events that visitors look forward to time and time again 1. Fair Rides - Small children and adults alike find pure entertainment in the classic fair rides that make you spin, twirl, drop, and swing. The Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars and more come back year after year to make visitors laugh and scream as...

There's no limit to the types of whiplash injuries which can be suffered by people under very bizarre or unusual circumstances, but fairground and amusement park rides seem to be strong contenders for the most common cause of strange accidents. For instance, in 2009 a fairground accident resulted in 21 people suffering injures on a Blackpool rollercoaster. The 'Big Dipper' ride experienced problems when one of the cars got stuck and was hit from behind by a car which followed along after it - usually at a safe distance. Three people were treated in hospital for face and neck injuries and the others were described as 'walking wounded', but they might have felt the effects of whiplash later that day. Symptoms can remain hidden for six to 12 hours in some cases, and occasionally continue getting worse for a few days after the initial injury. In a 2011 incident in Skegness, 22 people were trapped for more than an hour on the 'Surf Rider'. The ride, w...