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Happy Helen

Over the years I have been to many different fun fairs including ones in Bath, Bristol and Cardiff.

The best one is the one in Cardiff during the big weekend usually end of July, beginning of August. It is massive as it goes through all the streets by the council buildings. For a travelling funfair it is brilliant.

Another one I used to go to was the one on Durdham Downs in Bristol was a huge fair.

I have been going to the one at Victoria Park in Bath for many years.

Which is the best one you have been to ?

Magic · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject:

Oktoberfest in Munich is my favourite so far. Some of the biggest and best rides and roller coasters end up there and it has an awesome atmosphere. I've been twice with 2007 being the best year with Olympia Looping, Euro Star and Flying Circus in attendance.

Stuttgart Volksfest is pretty good too with the big hitters not at Oktoberfest attending. Last year XXL, Air Wolf and Spinning Racer were there.

I also enjoyed Foirre Du Midi in Brussels which is on a long narrow street. Not many big hitters but still a nice fair. Going back in July this year and will also be going to Tilburg Kirmes and Largest Fair on the Rhein in Dusseldorf.

Off to Paris this weekend for foirre du tronne and Meifoor in Bruges so will report back next week.

UK wise I prefered Hull to Nottingham Goose Fair but not been for about 8 years.

I also love the small charter fair in Wickham. Usually only 5 rides in attendance but it's where I grew up and I use to help build the rides and spin the Waltzer cars and help on the dodgems. It's probably how I got my passion for fairs and themeparks.
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Happy Helen · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

Magic · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:23 am Post subject:

Well, I can now report back that Foire Du Trone really wasn't up to much and is the most disappointing European fair I've been too. There was no fun atmosphere to the fair and the ride line up was pretty naff. The vast majority of the fair was made up of side stalls. What rides were there were pretty much the bog standard fare with not a lot out of the ordinary.

The famous King roller coaster was OK, but made painful by the fact it had over head restraints. Why on earth does a non looping coaster need over heads?

Infernal Toboggan was about the best on offer, a standard Galaxi but with a tunnel.

Bansai fun house was good for a giggle with a couple of hazardous tricks.

A while ago the authorities restricted the number of Bumper Car tracks to just 1 and it's obvious to see why. We watched a "gang" repeat ride with large bags of tokens, using a vicious technique that resulted in some of the hardest crashes I've ever seen. They took no prisoners and hunted in a pack wiping people out. At one point someone not in the gang was offering one of them for a fight. The atmosphere and tension on there was nasty. This is the first time I've seen a gang war fare style fight almost break out on the a set of Bumper Cars. Non of us rode becasue it was obvious it wasn't going to be fun.

All in all I'd say avoid Foire Du Trone and check out one of the other European fairs I mentioned above. I'll let you know what the other biggy, Tilburg Kirmis, is like in July.
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Magic · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject:

I've just uploaded my photos of the fair to SmugMug at http://coastertouring.smugmug.com...y/8174071_nvizi/1/533761302_bofHH
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Happy Helen · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject:

Boozytwin1 · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject:

I went to th Hamburg DOM spring festival in March this year. Olympia Looping and a Wild Maus coaster were the 2 coaster in attendance. Olympia Looping in the snow was good fun...!!
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