Every year for the past 15 years or so we've been heading to Bateman's Bay during summer and visited the fair at Corrigan's Beach, Batehaven.
It started with Chelsea as a tween and her cousin Nathan as they each experienced the grown up rides like the Hurricane, Tornado, Thunderbolt and Cha Cha. Then we had to include the toddler and preschooler rides when Tahlia was born finding a balance between ensuring the tweens/teens were happy while at the same time giving the bub some fun. We went full circle again as Tahlia grew and Darby joined us.
It used to be that I would chaperone by actually getting on the rides as well. All that spinning is right up my ally. There was no complaint from me.
But once the youngest hit double digits with capable teens by his side, I became happy to just hang around the edges watching, waiting and taking photographs.
So it was with this sense of relaxed observation that I took the kids and their cousins to the fair last night.
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The ferris wheel, music trip, thunderbolt, swings, hurricane and cha cha. So much spinning! |
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There is carnival food and the rides we've all grown to love. For just $25 per person for three hours, it only takes 5 rides to get your money's worth. |
Not a lot has changed. The rides are pretty much the same and the ticket prices have only gone up by $10 per person in the last 15+ years.
Even the carnival folk are familiar, year in and year out.
As the kids and their cousins grow and prepare to leave the nest, I wonder how much fair we have left in us. It's become a tradition and I'm going to be sad to see it go.
Darby enjoys having it as part of his birthday week, so perhaps I'll be less of the relaxed observer and more of a spinning participant again in the years to come. Just to keep him company.
Who knows.
What I do know is that Bell's Carnival at Batehaven is a fun addition to our summer holidays.
Right now it costs $25 a person for three hours of rides across 90% of the carnival. There are a handful of rides that come at an additional cost.
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The water bubbles, No Limit, large jumping castle and bungee trampolines come at an additional cost. |
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There's lots to do for the younger kids to get their $25 worth. |
Sideshow Alley comes at an additional cost |
The fair arrives in Batehaven a few days before Christmas and has its last run on Australia Day. Bell's show their community spirit by partnering with local businesses to put on fireworks on both New Year's Eve and Australia Day, It's open from 7.00pm and 10.00pm daily.
When was the last time you went to the fair?
I can't remember when the last time was that I went to a fair! Looks like a lot of fun :)
ReplyDeleteSo simple, but so fun
DeleteWhat a great price for hours worth of rides. We don't have any fairs around where we are. The kids would love it, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteMy kids have grown up with it. So much fun. But then again, I am a sucker for a good "side show".
DeleteWe went to Luna Park on the weekend and Santa's kingdom prior to xmas - they're both fair like...an actual fair? Can't remember...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever been to Luna Park. I've walked near it but never been there when it was open for rides. I will need to rectify that!
DeleteI love fairs. Always takes me back to being a kid and having a ball! I'm not as good at rides these days though!
ReplyDeleteI know. Age does that. I can do the spinning. It's the rides that throw you around that play havoc with my neck and give me headaches. I still do them though. I'm a bit silly like that.
DeleteThe last time I went to anything like this was the Royal Melbourne Show - a busy place but something fun for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYeah. We have them at the Canberra Show too. Although I balk at the cost because after $25 for three hours, $7-$15 a ride is a bit steep!
DeleteGreat price! I used to love going on rides and recognise many of the ones you've mentioned. Can only do tame ones these days LOL I've become an old person - gah!
ReplyDeleteDamn this being Deep Fried ...
DeleteI can't recall the last time I went to the fair, especially one that looks like such fun! How wonderful is the price?!? So much more affordable that the theme parks.
ReplyDeleteSooo affordable.
DeleteWhat a lovely family tradition!
ReplyDeleteI used to love going on any type of spinning ride but now my head spins too much after the ride and I can't tolerate them!
I love to spin. But I know plenty of people who can't do it anymore.
DeleteWho doesn't love a good fair? My kids sure do! I used to love the spinning rides, but now I think I'd throw up if I went on one. Thankfully, our teens are quite happy to go on the rides while we watch :-)
ReplyDeleteSpinning is great, but watching is good too.
DeleteYou will always find a reason to go to a fair. Even just for hot jam donuts!
ReplyDeleteHot jam donuts!!!! I missed out on that. Damn it.
DeleteWe have a similar fair in our town a couple of times a year. We've been a few times when my Mum and Dad have visited and Mr 6 loves it. Ours is $25 too and it's great value.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's the same people. I bet Mr 6 has a blast!
DeleteThat looks awesome! I am so adding this to my list for visiting next year. My sister lives in Wagga and it's the perfect place for us all to meet up for a holiday! It looks like you guys have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThe Bateman's Bay area is lovely. So much to do. So many beaches. Mogo Zoo, Mogo art and craft shops, putt putt golf, the fair (over Christmas hols), bush walks. If ever you're looking for a cheap holiday rental, let me know! We have a little beach cottage that we rent out. Central to everything.
DeleteWe haven't been to a fair for ages. Those and the rides they look awesome. And it's so lovely to have a tradition with cousins.
ReplyDeleteSo true! That cousin connection is definitely the icing on the cake.
DeleteEvery kid likes the circus, and most grownups do too. There is so much to see and so much to do. The trips are quick and crazy. Some meals provided at a circus are better than others, and here are the most favorite national. Took a Carnival ride
ReplyDelete