Latest news with #rollercoasters
CTV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Thrill of the carnival ride comes down to physics: Calgary professor
Chris Scheetz speaks during an interview while on board the ferris wheel at KDays in Edmonton in an image taken from video on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Sousa Gregg Korek knows a thing or two about roller-coasters. As vice-president of client services for North American Midway Entertainment, he has been part of bringing rides and attractions to one of Edmonton's signature summer events for nearly five decades. Korek said his company has brought back a lot of fan favourites for KDays, the decades-old exhibition that draws thousands yearly to Alberta's capital for rides, games, food and live music. There are familiar coasters, such as the Star Dancer and Crazy Mouse. For those who want something wet and wild, there's the Niagara Falls Flume. Others, such as the Polar Express, are geared towards fast-paced thrill-seekers. The best rides are the fast ones and the ones that go upside down and backwards, Korek said. 'When you're coming down the very first hill on that Crazy Mouse roller-coaster, you're alive,' he said Tuesday. 'The Wave Swinger, that's always been my favourite. It always reminds me of ... those dreams that you have where you're flying.' That feeling of hurtling through the air at breakneck speeds is all about physics and your brain fooling you, says a Calgary physics professor. Dr. Phil Langill, an associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Calgary, is an avid thrill-seeker and has closely studied midway rides. Langill said it all comes down to gravitational force, or G-force, which measures the acceleration or deceleration relative to the Earth's gravitational pull. When you get on a ride, he said, it's designed in such a way that the seat you're in makes you feel heavy or light. That translates to a feeling of being smashed into your seat and feeling heavier, or of weightlessness, as if you're going to fall out, he said. 'The rides try to play with your psychological being,' Langill said. While many chase the thrill of the ride, carnival classics like the ferris wheel continue to be enjoyed by people like Chris Scheetz, who is on a quest to ride it for 54 hours straight to raise $54,000 for chronically ill children. A self-proclaimed lover of rides, Scheetz said he's done a bunch of 'wild and wacky' stunts dating back to his time as a radio host, such as when he drove a Zamboni from Calgary to Edmonton. When his family found out his plan to break the 53-hour record ferris wheel ride, 'they went, 'Oh, no. Not again,'' he said. Aside from five-minute bathroom breaks every hour, he hasn't stepped off the wheel, even sleeping on it at night. Scheetz said he's had no trouble passing the time, between rides with sponsors, celebrities and media interviews. He's also had children on as part of the Alberta Dreams charity. His ride is expected to end late Wednesday afternoon. KDays runs through Sunday. With files from Bill Graveland in Calgary This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025. Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ohio State Fair sights, sounds, tastes to offer feast for the senses
The clamor of the crowd and the roar of roller coasters will soon provide the soundtrack for a long-running Ohio tradition that draws close to a million visitors each summer. They come from hither and yon for music and other live entertainment, thrill rides, games, fine arts, livestock shows and animal demonstrations, and a host of other activities and attractions. That's right, folks! It's time for the Ohio State Fair, which will open July 23 and run through Aug. 3 at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. This will be the 170th Ohio State Fair, but it will serve as the 175th anniversary of the first Ohio State Fair because of years when the fair was not held: 1942-1945 during World War II and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the fair's 2024 media guide, around 800,000 to over 900,000 visitors have attended the fair each year in the past two decades, even setting a record in 2023 with 1,006,228 attendees. Sights and sounds are just part of what lures fairgoers. There's also food as far as the eye can see and the nose can smell, from the intoxicating aroma of funnel cakes deep-fried to crispy, golden perfection to more unusual fare such as ghost-pepper fudge and buckeye lemonade infused with creamy peanut butter and chocolate. (And don't forget meats on sticks!) But before you traipse off to behold the beloved butter cow, here are some fair facts you need to know. When does the Ohio State Fair open? Admission gates open each day at 7 a.m., but most food vendors, buildings, activities and other attractions open later. Fair hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 23-25 and July 28-Aug. 1, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 26-27 and Aug. 2. Gates will close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3. Fairgoers must exit the grounds by 11 p.m. each day, except for Aug. 3, when the fair closes at 9 p.m. How much is admission? Available online through July 22, advance-sale tickets cost $8 for a single day, $20 for three-day admission and $75 for 12-day admission. Multiple-day tickets are limited to one admission scan per day. Fairgoers also can purchase tickets for $8 in person at participating O'Reilly Auto Parts stores through July 22. Beginning July 23, tickets purchased online and at the gate will cost $12 for ages 13-59 and $10 for ages 6-12, as well as for ages 60 and older. Children 5 and younger are admitted for free, as are veterans, military personnel and first responders. What time do rides open? Weekday hours for the midway will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 23, 25 and July 28-Aug. 1. A sensory-friendly experience will be offered on July 24, when rides will run with no lights and sounds from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On July 26-27 and Aug. 2, rides will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The midway will close at 9 p.m. on Aug. 3. How much do rides cost? Save a few bucks by purchasing a ride-all-day wristband in advance for $33 through July 22. After that, the price will go up to $37. Individual digital tickets can be bought on-site. All rides require at least three rides and games at the fair are cashless. Reloadable RFID (radio frequency identification) wristbands will be scanned at each ride or game. What artists will be performing? The fair's concert series, held in the air-conditioned WCOL Celeste Center, will offer shows by KIDZ BOP (July 23), Foreigner (July 24), Warren Zeiders (July 25), Morris Day and the Time with Con Funk Shun (July 26), Tauren Wells (July 28), Leanne Morgan (July 29), T-Pain (July 30), Quinn XCII and Chelsea Cutler (July 31), AJR (Aug. 1) and Trace Adkins with Alex Miller (Aug. 2). Concert tickets purchased before arriving at the fair include admission to the fair. Is there anything new at the fair? A variety of new features will debut, including Rodeo Night on Aug. 2, a mobile axe-throwing trailer and the opening of the Barnyard, the new location of the pig races and petting zoo. For adrenaline junkies, the new Sling Shot ride will launch thrill-seekers from 145-foot towers, catapulting them as high as 200 feet in the air! What's the parking situation? Parking will cost $10, available to purchase online with admission or on-site at the fair. Reserved parking is not available to the general public. Parking is accessible from I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit and the Hudson Street exit at Silver Drive. Also, free O'Reilly Auto Parts shuttles will be available in the general parking lots to take fairgoers to and from the main entrance gate to their vehicles. What are the rules about minors at the fair? A measure implemented in 2024 requires youth under 18 to be accompanied by "an adult, sober, and competent person aged 21 or older" for admission to the fair after 6 p.m. each day. Unattended minors will be denied entry at the gate and be asked to leave or return with an adult chaperone. Chaperones cannot accompany more than six minors per day. Underage concertgoers with valid tickets can enter the fair and concerts after 6 p.m. without an adult. When the concert ends, they must leave the fair or meet up with a chaperone. Those under 18 who are caring for animals or working at the fair are exempt from the curfew if they have valid credentials. For more information about the fair, visit Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Fair is July 23-Aug. 3 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Check out these amusement parks – big and small – within a day's drive from Akron
There's just something magical about amusement parks. They are places where memories are made. And fears are confronted. Northern Ohio is still fortunate to have a fair number of such parks within a day's drive. Most of these parks are steeped in history and are popular destinations for amusement park enthusiasts from near and far to ride not only classic rides but the latest scream machines. There are also some smaller parks that offer fun – albeit on a smaller scale. Cedar Point The granddaddy of American amusement parks is situated right in our proverbial backyard on the shores of Lake Erie. Cedar Point in Sandusky has been a summer destination for generations of families for some 150 years. The park is home to 67 rides including 19 roller coasters that are the star attraction for thrill seekers. Some of these coasters that reach high into the sky offer breathtaking views of Lake Erie and the park's mile-long beach and historic Hotel Breakers before plunging riders at a breakneck speed. The park with its historic charm continues to evolve with new rides and experiences added each season. And this year is no different. The park has added Siren's Curse, billed as North America's tallest, fastest and longest tilt roller coaster. The coaster, themed after a mythical Lake Erie siren, is already a fan and spectator favorite with long lines this summer. The coaster's signature feature is the tilt that dangles riders 90 degrees over the midway before connecting to the track below and speeding some 58 miles per hour along a twisting track. This summer is also the first chance for many visitors to ride the Top Thrill 2 roller coaster that closed shortly after its debut last season. For more, visit Kennywood A trip to Kennywood located in West Mifflin, just outside of Pittsburgh, is like taking a stroll through the past. This Pennsylvania amusement park holds the distinction of being considered a National Historic Landmark for its collection of historic buildings and 40 some rides. The park that dates back to 1898, is home to the Old Mill boat ride that takes guests past a series of humorous old western scenes and the classic Noah's Ark walkthrough funhouse that sways back and forth as guests navigate narrow passageways and encounter animals and other surprises along the way. Kennywood also has an impressive collection of roller coasters including some that are pretty old like the Racer and the Jack Rabbit. The 3,365-foot-long Phantom's Revenge takes full advantage of the park's hilly terrain and was recently ranked No. 1 by USA TODAY. Kennywood's Steel Curtain roller coaster reopened this summer after work throughout last season to reinforce its supports. Themed after the Pittsburgh Steelers, the coaster reaches 220 feet making it Pennsylvania's tallest roller coaster and with nine inversions, it is the most of any coaster in the country and has the highest inversion. And no visit to Kennywood would be complete without trying its famed Potato Patch fries with gooey cheese and fresh bacon. They love these fries so much at Kennywood they even have dodgem cars themed after the tasty dish called the Potato Smash. Kings Island Cedar Point may get a lot of the attention, but its sister Six Flags Park just outside Cincinnati is also a popular destination for thrill seekers. Kings Island in Mason is home to a signature replica of the Eiffel Tower and some 16 roller coasters from the tame – like the Great Pumpkin – to the extreme Orion with a breathtaking 300-foot first drop. One of the oldest coasters in the park is arguably its best. The Beast made its debut in 1979 and still holds the record as the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. Over the span of 4 minutes, riders whisk along 7,361 feet of track at 65 miles per hour over some 35 wooded acres. For those looking for a little tamer experience, the park's Boo Blasters on Boo Hill offers a fun and cool indoor experience where guests have to hunt down and capture ghosts. For more, check out Smaller regional parks A summer escape to an amusement park does not have to be an all-day or break the bank kind of thing. There are smaller regional parks that offer thrills on a smaller scale. Memphis Kiddie Park situated in the Cleveland suburb of Brooklyn not far from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is geared toward young riders. Unlike the big parks where you have to purchase a daily admission, Memphis Kiddie Park offers tickets for just one or all of the 11 amusement park rides geared to children under 50 inches tall. The park's rides are from the early 1950s and look like the day they arrived at the quaint park that has a nice miniature golf course. Ride tickets are $3.25 each or 10 for $29. For more, visit Nestled in the hills of New Philadelphia, Tuscora Park is another short escape for young families. The city-owned park has a collection of rides geared toward young kids including a train ride and a carousel. Like Memphis Kiddie Park, there is no daily admission and ride tickets are $1.50 each or a book of 12 for $10. For more, visit Sluggers & Putters in Canal Fulton is home to 10 rides from the Space Jets to the Tea Cups to the classic Scrambler. The small Stark County amusement park is also home to a pretty cool themed miniature golf course and go-cart tracks for both young and adventurous riders. Ticket prices vary by attraction. For more, visit Funtimes Fun Park in Alliance is also home to a nice collection of small rides and attractions. The park also features miniature golf, Go-Karts and even bumper boats. Among the collection of amusement park rides is the original Tilt-A-Whirl from the former Geauga Lake Amusement Park. Ticket prices vary by attraction. For more, visit Waldameer in Erie, Pennsylvania, also does not charge a daily admission to its large amusement park. To visit the water park that has a number of slides and attractions, you have to purchase a day pass. You are free to stroll through the amusement park, but to ride any of the 33 attractions you can either purchase a day pass or put credits on a ride card. Waldameer has a fun walk-through Pirate-theme funhouse and the classic Wacky Shack dark ride. The park is also home to five roller coasters including the super-fast Ravene Flyer II. For more, visit This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Check out these amusement parks a quick drive away from Akron Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a theme park ‘fat tester' – I spent my day squeezing into seats at Thorpe Park & these are the rides you can't go on
A PLUS-SIZE woman has been dubbed a 'theme park fat tester' after spending the day seeing which rollercoasters she could fit into and which ones left her sat on the sidelines. Posting under Team Topsy on TikTok, the woman headed to Thorpe Park in Surrey to put ride restraints to the test and her viral video has had thousands of fellow thrill-seekers hooked. 2 2 Wearing leggings, trainers and a positive attitude, she spent the day climbing into test seats, checking harness space and asking staff for tips on how larger guests could still enjoy the park. She joked that she was '72 miles off' from fitting into Colossus but gave a full, no-nonsense review of what each ride was like for people in bigger bodies. Some rides like The Walking Dead and Detonator were surprisingly comfy, with wide seats and space to spare. Others, like Stealth, were a definite no as she couldn't even pull the harness down. She rated Nemesis Inferno as one of the best for plus-size riders, calling it an 'easy fit' and revealing that certain rows even have double seat belts designed for bigger bodies. She also praised the helpful staff who moved queues around to help her access special seats. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. On Hyperia, one of Thorpe Park 's most popular rides, she couldn't get the restraint to click, so her mate Susan had to ride alone. Susan, who rode several rides solo when her friend didn't fit, described Hyperia as 'the best ride ever' but admitted the airtime was so intense she felt like she might fly out of her seat. Samurai, Colossus and Saw were all marked as too tight for guests over a size 18. We Spent the Day at Thorpe Park and Rode EVERY Rollercoaster with the Family And she highlighted that rides with chest restraints could be especially tricky for those with larger busts. She explained that Samurai's locking system wouldn't close over her 63-inch chest and recommended others check out test seats first to avoid embarrassment at the front of the queue. The TikToker didn't sugar-coat it, saying that while Thorpe Park 's accessibility for mobility needs is great, with lifts, ramps and helpful staff but it's still hit or miss for plus-size guests. She summed it up by saying the park was 'not completely accessible for full-size bodies,' despite fitting on more rides than she did at Alton Towers. The key, she said, is to ask for the bigger seats and not be afraid to speak up. Fans praised her honesty in the comments, with one saying: 'As a plus-size person, I love this. Thanks for being real.' But others were cruel, calling her names and telling her not to bother going. One even wrote: 'Anything but a calorie deficit.' Still, she's not letting the trolls stop her and she's already planning to try more parks soon. As she put it: 'If I die, I die — but at least I had a laugh.' Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Top six UK theme parks you can easily reach by train this summer – and how to find the cheapest family fares
A DAY trip to a theme park is part of what makes up the summer holidays for most families. So Trainline has revealed where you can find the top six amusement parks whether you're looking for big rollercoasters or small thrills - and they're all easily accessible on train. 8 8 First up is Chessington World of Adventures which is just outside of London in Chessington. The park has it all, over 40 rides, a zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Some of the best rides include the Barrel Bail Out, as long as you're not standing nearby, because the aim of the game is to soak bystanders. It's also home to Mandrill Mayhem the largest rollercoaster and themed around Jumanji. Travel Editor (Digital) Caroline McGuire visited the theme park to try out the Jumanji rollercoaster when it first opened - and here's her verdict. You can get to the theme park by getting the train to Chessington South then walking 14 minutes to the main entrance. The second theme park is Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire. Blooloop. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort first opened in 1896, and has been kept in the family since it opened. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has 38 rides, 10 rollercoasters and five water rides. I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beache's 'new' ride 8 8 Some of the most popular include The Big One, Icon, Valhalla, and the Grand National. The park also has Nickelodeon Land with rides for younger visitors. To get to park, take the train to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station, then a five minute walk. Adventure Island is a firm favourite with families because of its free entry policy – you only pay for the rides you go on. The colourful theme park is right on Southend's seafront and has over 40 rides and attractions. You can go start slow with the spinning teacups or get hit the big rides like the Gerstlauer Eurofighter that has a vertical drop and loop. The park also has arcades, a sea-view café strip, and a small aquarium. To get there, take a train to Southend Central, then it's a 10-minute walk to the park gates. 8 Diggerland in Kent isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for digger fans, it's a dreamworld. Here, kids can operate real JCBs, ride on dump trucks, and dig holes with their digger of choice. There are hands-on driving experiences too like go-karting, and there's a soft play on-site. Pre-booked tickets to Diggerland cost £25.95pp plus a £4 booking fee - or £38pp on the day. Take the train to Strood, then take a 15-minute walk to the Diggerland entrance. 8 For fans of retro, head to Dreamland in Margate - otherwise known as the UK's trendiest seaside town. The beachside amusement park is full of restored vintage rides, a roller disco, summer concerts and art shows. It's where you'll find the UK's oldest wooden rollercoaster, the Scenic Railway which first opened in 1920. In July 2025, Dreamland opened its first ride in 25 years - a log flume water ride called Wild River. The new ride has two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. It also has nearby water guns that guests can use to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey took a trip to Dreamland to try out some of its best attractions. To get there by train, take one to Margate, then it's just a four-minute walk to the Dreamland entrance - it's across the road from the beach. 8 Of course, we cannot forget about Barry Island Pleasure Park. The classic British fairground is right by the beach, and recognisable to fans of the BBC series Gavin and Stacey. It has the classic dodgems and ghost trains as well as helter-skelters and candy floss stands. It's the best of both worlds really as once you're dizzy from the rides, head down to the golden sands of Barry Beach for an ice cream. To get there, take a train to Barry Island, then follow signs to the seafront which is less than five minutes on foot. For any families taking the train this summer, follow these handy tips to save on tickets... Save with Railcards: Get discounts on off-peak fares using digital Railcards. Families can make big savings by using a Family & Friends Railcard, which gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' tickets. Other options like the 16–25 Railcard or Two Together Railcard are perfect for friends or couples planning a fun park day out. GroupSave perks: If you are travelling in a group of 3–9 you can save up to 1/3 on tickets when you book together. One person just needs to book for the whole group to unlock GroupSave - for eligible journeys a pop-up message in the Trainline app will prompt you to 'Apply discount' . Save with Advance Fares: Many long-distance routes to theme parks – especially popular ones like Southend, Blackpool or Margate – offer Advance train tickets that can be significantly cheaper than buying on the day. Book early for the best prices, especially during summer weekends or school holidays when demand can be higher. 8
