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New rides to debut at Lake County Spring Fair
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Discounted presale ride wristbands for the Butler Amusements carnival at the Lake County Spring Fair are available now in the main office of the Lake County Fairgrounds.
The Lake County Spring Fair, now in its second year, takes place Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22, at the fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
Several spectacular rides that have never before visited Lake County will be included on the midway.
New to Lake County, the Freak Out seats 16 people who are secured by over-the-shoulder harnesses as their legs dangle from their seats.
Once the ride begins, the seats rotate at an increasing rate as the entire boom swings horizontally. Passengers swing out over the midway, directly over the heads of those watching from the ground.
The ride’s high point is reached as the boom reaches a height of over 40 feet, while the entire ride towers 70 feet above the ground.
Also new, the Raptor has the familiar look of a classic scrambler, but with an extra special kick that multiplies the fun and excitement.
Four arms are connected to seats in pods of three. Each pod of seats spin counterclockwise while the entire arm turns counterclockwise giving riders the feeling of being in the center of a crazy vortex. The Raptor has 18 seats and can hold 2 adults per seat.
The world-class Super Shot Drop Tower is one of Butler Amusements’ most unique rides. Unlike any other ride on the midway, the Super Shot brings a new dimension of thrills to carnival visitors. 12 passengers are loaded into each circular passenger station.
Over-the-shoulder harnesses secure patrons while they are gently lifted up the 90 foot tower. Once the passenger station reaches the top, it is released in an accelerated free-fall and riders experience G-forces in excess of three and a half times normal gravity.
Riders are then cushioned by a magnetic braking system stopping the station before it reaches the base of the tower. The Super Shot has never before been on a Lake County midway.
Clear Lake High School student, Katlyn Thomasson, said she is most looking forward to riding the Freak Out and the Raptor, and that “the ride list looks awesome! I can’t wait for the rides to get here!” while Kelseyville High graduating senior Jeanie Johnson said “the Ring-O-Fire and the Super Shot are my favorites!”
While the new spectacular rides are geared towards adult and teen thrill seekers, the carnival will include a variety of rides for the younger set as well.
A beautiful, handcrafted, 28 foot Americana-themed carousel featuring 24 jumping horses and two chariots will provide gentle fun for parents and children to create memories while they enjoy the sights and sounds of the Lake County Spring Fair.
A Looney Tooter cartoon-themed train, a teacup ride, a lollipop swing, and dune-buggy themed Jump-Around will join the carousel.
Additional rides that will appeal to the tweens in the crowd include a Ring-O-Fire ride named the Fire Ball, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a Graviton and a Voyager virtual reality ride. A variety of other rides, games and food selections will round out the carnival.
One day unlimited ride wristbands cost $20 each prior to the Lake County Spring Fair, a savings of $5 from the cost of each ticket.
Discounted presale ride wristbands are available now in the main office of the Lake County Fairgrounds.
The main office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
More information can be obtained at www.lakecountyfair.com or by calling 707-263-6181.
All regular admission tickets are $5 each for those age six and over, and can be purchased in advance as well.
The Spring Fair also will feature motorized grandstand shows each evening, two stages of musical entertainment, a car show on Saturday and Sunday, vocational education project displays, a laser tag emporium, and a variety of fair food and other commercial displays.