Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

When I go back to see my mum the boy in me remembers the fair that used to come when I was about 4-6?. I loved the fair ground men-males who laughed rather than that other man I was learning to hate.

That field is now a housing estate

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

Obviously more profitable for them to come to Cork, Jem!

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

Proper old fashioned fair grounds are a thing of the past.
OH's great great grandparents were travelling circus people grandpa a tightrope walker and Marie was a fair lady who rode horse bareback and jumped through rings of fire..

These kinds of shows largley died out during or just after the second world war..Live animals are no longer allowed to be exploited ( thank goodness) and people just dont want to see clowns anymore.

The modern idea of a fairground with mechanised rides is a victim of ever demanding audience and and ever stricter health and saftey regime.
The audience want thrills and the health and safety say if has to be safe ..
The rides are hugely expensive and many councils charge the earth for a weekend pitch.
The mind boggles at the prices..
http://www.amusementtrader.com/313/E...NEW-MODEL.html

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

How lovely Cass - I have affection for troupers
I like the old fashioned fairgrounds, wouldn't want to go to todays offerings at all

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

My mother in law always told the story about her grandma and how she had been a bareback rider but no one believed her..

But tracing back I found it was true so we owned mum an apology!

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

Wouldn't it have been great to have a picture of her ..........

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

We still get one around here , it looks dingy and dirty.

I guess some fairgrounds have 'gone to the wall' because of the stringent health and safety regulations around these days. All that taking down and putting up rides can lead to dangerous unsafe equipment.

I guess the fairgrounds of old have been superseded by the Theme/Amusement Parks.

For anyone interested in traditional and victorian attractions I can wholeheartedly recommend Watermouth Castle in North Devon http://www.watermouthcastle.com/
it is a magical place and beautifully kept.

Oops sorry Cass just seen your similar post...

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

Ooo it looks so pretty - lovely

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

The fair comes to one of the parks down town here every year, and a smaller version goes to the village about 5 miles away where I lived before as well.
One problem is, although parents still seem to take their young kids along, at night time, older yobs hang out there too, so I wouldn't want to go, especially on my own.

Re: where has fairgrounds vanished too ?

That's the problem, never saw any trouble when I used to go, just good clean fun - it was smashing