Thrills and chills

Paul Clinton

Few experiences are as exhilarating and, at times, nerve-rattling as a

day on the rides at the Orange County Fair.

Past fairs have brought the Zipper, Euroslide, La Grande Wheel and

other rides for teens and adults. This year, a few new entries lower the

limbo stick for visitors seeking a few thrills with their fun.

To offer up a guidebook to some of these rides, I took a couple of

hours Friday to test-drive a half-dozen of them.

As I stood in the carnival zone, in the fair’s southeastern corner,

wondering whether I should hop on the Wilde Maus or Hi Miler roller

coaster, I realized I needed tickets for these attractions.

These can be bought at any one of the white ticket booths around the

fairgrounds. The best deal, if you plan to hit a string of the rides, is

clearly the day pass for 10 rides for $10. You can also buy tickets for

75 cents each or shell out $20 for 36 tickets.

It should be noted that the fair’s premier ride, the Booster, isn’t

included in the 10-ride package. It costs $10 for a special green ticket

or 15 regular ride tickets. It’s cheaper to pay the $10.

After navigating the ticket maze, I headed to the Hi Miler, a modest

coaster with about six connected cars that costs six tickets. If you want

a solo cart ride, head to the Wilde Maus.

Hi Miler’s jarring, hard turns and quick drops give it a solid thrill

quotient. It moves a little faster than the Wilde Maus, so I was glad I

chose it.

Next stop: the Hydro Slide.

As a Log Jam-like water ride, the Hydro Slide is a good way to cool

off on a hot summer day. The weather Friday, at least at midday, was

somewhat cool, so this wasn’t the best choice.

For six tickets, I headed to my log “chariot,” as the ride operator

called it, unaware of what I was in for. The “be prepared to get wet”

sign on the railing should read “be prepared to get soaked.”

I emerged from the ride with my back drenched. Also, my wallet, note

pad, glasses and jeans were soaked. Guess it pays to read the signs.

After I dried off -- and munched down a tasty foot-long hot dog and

iced lemonade -- it was time for more fun.

The Invertor may not have been the best choice after consuming food,

but I was drawn to it nonetheless. Its name tells you all you need to

know.

This one costs only five tickets, offering a lot of bang for the buck.

As the carriage begins to roll forward, AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” plays on

the ride’s speakers. Hearing the phrase “You’re only young, but you’re

gonna die” doesn’t exactly give you peace of mind.

A huge hydraulic arm hoists the carriage 180 degrees, flips it upside

down and stops it in midair. Seeing the fairgrounds upside down from 100

feet in the air isn’t something that was missing in my life.

The ground never felt so good as it did after that ride.

I cooled off with La Grande Wheel, the largest Ferris wheel in the

Western Hemisphere. For six tickets, one of the gondolas provided

soothing and peaceful solitude.

One of the fair’s three new rides provided the grand finale to a fun

day. This year, fair organizers brought the Adrenaline Drop, the Mega

Drop and the Booster.

If you want to know what it’s like to eject from a jet fighter, head

to the Booster. This ride, a huge hydraulic arm with seats that rotate on

either end, hurtles you at speeds of up to 52 mph from a height of 128

feet in the air.

As the arm swings around, you fly toward the asphalt -- as if you’ve

fallen from a skyscraper -- and, at seconds before impact, are jerked

back and pulled up again.

A burst of adrenaline rushed through my body as I rode it, feeling a

big grin appear on my face. I left the ride pale and twitching, but

definitely thrilled.