Parking Lot Carnivals

On Easter weekend I came across something I haven’t seen since I was a kid: a carnival set up in the parking lot of a shopping mall. Maybe I just haven’t been spending much time in suburbia, but this was such a fun surprise! We pulled in just as they opened and we didn’t have to wait in line for any of rides. The staff were very friendly and the equipment was in great condition. My three year old daughter got to go on her first real rides (before this she had only been on a carousel).

Photo: T.Bennett2010

I remember how exciting the rides were when I was a kid: the Octopus, the Tilt-a-whirl, and- my favorite – the Scrambler. Of course, now that I am older the Octopus makes me dizzy and I prefer to spend my time at the concession stands.

Photo: T.Bennett2010

I had a hot dog and a freshly squeezed lemonade and my husband had a corn dog from the various concessions, while my daughter got to fly an airplane and ride in a fish that went up and down. Good times were had all around. Oh, and she won a little teddy bear at one of those carnival games where you get to pick up a rubber ducky and see what number is on the bottom. It couldn’t have been a better first experience for my little girl and now that she’s old enough I can’t wait to take her to a bigger amusement park this summer.

What’s the first amusement park experience you remember?

I remember it was at our local fair – it was my birthday and there was a lumberjack show where the loggers jumped around on floating logs and carved things with chainsaws. There was also a demolition derby and so many rides! I’ve been back for my birthday many, many times since then. Just thinking about it makes me hungry, which reminds me that it’s about time that I feature another type of concession food… what should be next? The illustrious corn dog? The regal root beer from giant barrel? Those marvelous mini donuts? What’s your favorite concession food?