Ohio State Fair

Has anyone been to the state fair this year, and if so, could you please tell what rides are there?

Last year (on the coaster side), they had a Spinning Roller Coaster (Zamperla Twister), and I believe a Pinfari Zyklon. I might be wrong on the Zyklon. Anyways, could you please tell me all the major rides (not kiddie)?

Last year's coasters were Crazy Mouse (Reverchon Spinner) and Avalanche (Pinfari Zyklon, Formerly the Holiday World Firecracker)

Well, I stopped in on Wednesday night and thought the midway was even less impressive than last year. Partly, the Spin Out, Space Roller and Afterburner were all out of service. New this year is a very stupid ride called "G Force". Think of a poor man's version of Linear Gale. Only with the track on the bottom and the seats hanging over the edges.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Wait...

The Space Roller was there, but closed?

If not, the Afterburner wasn't there, either? They showed them inspecting and testing it on the news last week.

I was there yesterday for a state fair band alumni function. Didn't get too much of a chance to go on the midway (or ride anything), but it appeared just about everything was running with typical fair lines. Of the state fairs, it still has one of the best midway's of any. *** Edited 8/5/2007 5:16:11 PM UTC by Walt S***

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RideMan said:Well, I stopped in on Wednesday night and thought the midway was even less impressive than last year. Partly, the Spin Out, Space Roller and Afterburner were all out of service. New this year is a very stupid ride called "G Force". Think of a poor man's version of Linear Gale. Only with the track on the bottom and the seats hanging over the edges.

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Maybe I'm easily impressed (that's what I'm told, anyway) - but I thought last year's State Fair was quite impressive. Sure, it's not Puyallup, but what is? Then again, I haven't been to any other fairs of notable size since the Broward County Fair in...'01 or '02....

Also, I'd have been bummed to see some of my very favorite flats sitting idle...esp. the Afterburner. We did get in for VERY cheap...since it was mid-week and a radio station day, our POPs were around 15 bucks or so. But regardless, with *all* those flats and dark rides and coasters, I was surprised by the size....maybe I need to get to some other State Fairs?

Yea, I was wanting to post about the fair. It's horrible. I've never had the need to go to the OSF until I lived 3 blocks away. there aren't enough thrill rides, it's horrible.

I emailed the OSF committee to voice my concern. Columbus puts millions to attract more tourist to the inner city. The state is like an armpit when it's here. Most AVOID the area.

My friend who lives in Dublin says last time she went to the fair, the only thing to do was milk a cow, because the rides didn't look very safe.

So far, I've been to a couple state fairs, the only one i've come fond of was the NC State Fair, which is about 10 times the size of OSF (A little exaggeration, but you get my point).

Also, it's run by Amusements of America I believe. they only lasted a year at the NC State Fair because the fair wasn't up to public's standards. *** Edited 8/5/2007 6:08:40 PM UTC by BANDandDCI***

The reason those rides weren't operating on opening day was due to inspection. Amusements of America combines units to play the OSF and one of those units closed at the Delaware State Fair on Sunday. They had one day to get to Ohio, another day to set up and the inspections weren't completed in time for Wednesday's opening. The Space Roller was one of those, but it also blew a gear box in Delaware and they were delayed an extra day waiting for a new one.

Perhaps the woman from Dublin was disappointed that the Fair didn't have the atmosphere of a boutique mall, golf course, or day spa. Seriously, a lot of locals view the Fair as totally ghetto and wouldn't set foot. Then there are those who see it as a world class Fine Arts show, a culinary arts demonstration, hilarious family entertainment, the nation's finest junior livestock program, fantastic senior citizens, some of the best food anywhere, amazing horticulture, and a midway that most of my friends would kill to have near them for 12 days.

You are also guaranteed to see Ohioans who paid 6 bucks or less to get in. (now....I was born and raised here, so I'm just sayin'...)

I would venture a guess that the OSF is in the top 5 of state fairs with Minnesota, Texas, and Iowa in the pack. As far as the midway goes, ours compares favorably with the other big dates, especially for a twelve day show. Minnesota runs 17 days and Texas is 24 this year, and yes, they have fantastic midways. There aren't as many big traveling shows, and the best midways IMO are independent or combined shows. (The Florida State Fair had the best midway I've ever seen, but it's in the winter when all the big shows are already there and can independently bid to book on their most spectacular pieces.) I can only imagine the challenges a traveling showman must face these days. So it is what it is. I'm happy to have it.

Thanks RCMAC, your Dublin comments were hilarious!

I go to the fair nearly every year but I hardly ever ride anything. I'm interested in everything and there is so much other stuff going on that I don't seem to have time for rides. Although I never miss a ride on that awesome giant slide.

OSF has a nice midway. It has much more rides than the Wisconsin State Fair. The Illinois State Fair, and the Indiana State Fair don't have a lot of stuff on there midway. I think Florida State Fair is one of the best out there.

Florida State Fair in 2007 (Feb):

Rides:
Thunderbolt
Freak Out
Wild Mouse Coaster
Wave Swinger
Giant Wheel
Orbiter
1001 Nachts
Techno Power=Remix
Power Surge
Spider
Wild Claw (KMG Fireball)
Spin Out
Tidal Wave (Flying Bobs)
Ring of Fire
Flume Water Ride
Drop Tower (Big Ben)
2 Zippers
Super Himilaya
Cliffhanger
Zero Gravity
Nitro (Zamperla like KMG Fireball, but smaller)

2 Bumper Cars
Hit In 2000 (Himilaya like or Music Express like)
Majestic Musik Express
Century Wheel
Zyklon Roller Coaster
2 Eli 16 wheels
Tango
Space Roller
Himilaya (Wisdom)
Enterprise
Starship 3000 & Starship 4000
Tornado (Huss thing on it's side ride)
Magnum (Huss crazy type of ride-flip have upside down)
Wisdom Storm (Looks like Scat!)
Rock and Roll (That really old ride that goes upside down. It's circular tubs.)
Tilt-A-Whirl
Scrambler
Dip N Drop ride
Twister (Breakdance) *** Edited 8/6/2007 3:33:25 PM UTC by Spinout***

Ok so we had Crazy Mouse (Reverchon Spinner) and Avalanche (Pinfari Zyklon) last year. Can anyone confirm wether they are there this year or not?

By the way Before going to Holiday World, The Zyclon was "Cyclone" at Geauga Lake as well. With Geauga Lake being my childhood park, I've been wanting to ride it since I found out it was there last year.

Yes, they are both there. I believe they are both owned by Big A.

And to answer Spinout's original question-

Banzai, Enterprise, Rock and Roll (Music Express), Crazy Mouse, Flying Bobs, Mardi Gras, Space Roller, GForce, FireBall, Wave Swinger, 2 Scooters, Tilt-a-Whirl, Rock and Roll (Flying Bobs), Gravitron, Ghoul City, Cuckoo House, MTV funhouse, 1001 Nachts, Power Surge, Tornado, Cliff Hanger, Twister (Crazy Dance), Pirate's Den, Avalanche, Drop Zone, Giant Wheel, Ring of Fire, German Fun House, Infernal Combustion, and he'll be happy to know, the Spinout. The Giant Slide and Sky Glider are permanent installations and are not included in the POP wristband.

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My friend who lives in Dublin says last time she went to the fair, the only thing to do was milk a cow, because the rides didn't look very safe.

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It's a fair.

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there aren't enough thrill rides

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It's a fair.

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So far, I've been to a couple state fairs, the only one i've come fond of was the NC State Fair, which is about 10 times the size of OSF (A little exaggeration, but you get my point).

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A LITTLE exaggeration? After checking out the website for the NC state fair I would say you are doing heroin, shrooms, or both. It's more or less the same.

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Also, it's run by Amusements of America I believe. they only lasted a year at the NC State Fair because the fair wasn't up to public's standards.

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Why dont you and your friend in Dublin move to NC?

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New this year is a very stupid ride called "G Force".

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Stupid is as stupid does, Rideman.

It's a frickin Fair, people, not Disney World. Milk a cow, grab a corn dog, meet the mayor, listen to some Def Leppard, poop in a porta-pot, and then ride a vomit comet until you drop. Did I mention it's a FAIR?

So what is it your trying to tell us OhioStater? Is this suposed to be some kind of Fair? ;)

I've never been, but Pennsylvania's "state" fair doesn't sound like much of a fair. I mean, they have it like 6 miles outside of Philly (at a racetrack). Yeah, you're really out in the country there.

On the plus side, we have some really kickass county and local fairs like Bloomsburg, Allentown, and York. Even the little ones (Gratz, Schuylkill, West End) are a lot of fun-- maybe not for riding, but for the atmosphere, food and entertainment. http://pafairs.org/ Although our little midway did have a Zipper, Tornado and Tempest, among others. Nothing like spinning when it's 95 degrees out.

I cannot speak for other states, but if you're in Ohio, the fair is really about one thing: agriculture. While it is the goal of the fair to produce an impressive midway to keep kids entertained, acts to keep the public entertained, and a plethora of fair food to keep stomachs happy, these are by no means the main goals. The whole idea is to showcase agriculture in the state, not produce a midway comparable to Cedar Point.

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maybe not for riding, but for the atmosphere, food and entertainment.

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Exacty good bear. That is precisely what a fair is supposed to be about.

I never thought of it until OhioStater's post, but that could explain how it ended up being the Department of Agriculture that inspects rides.

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RCMAC said:
Yes, they are both there. I believe they are both owned by Big A.

And to answer Spinout's original question-

Banzai, Enterprise, Rock and Roll (Music Express), Crazy Mouse, Flying Bobs, Mardi Gras, Space Roller, GForce, FireBall, Wave Swinger, 2 Scooters, Tilt-a-Whirl, Rock and Roll (Flying Bobs), Gravitron, Ghoul City, Cuckoo House, MTV funhouse, 1001 Nachts, Power Surge, Tornado, Cliff Hanger, Twister (Crazy Dance), Pirate's Den, Avalanche, Drop Zone, Giant Wheel, Ring of Fire, German Fun House, Infernal Combustion, and he'll be happy to know, the Spinout. The Giant Slide and Sky Glider are permanent installations and are not included in the POP wristband.

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Thanks for the answer! Yes, I'm happy because Spin Out is there!!