Funnel Cakes, Pronto Pups and Snow Cones, oh my!

4-H exhibits, vegetables, farm crops, home canned goods, baked goods, photography, painting, leather and other crafts shared the Discovery building with dozens of elaborate quilts and pillows. Walking into the gloriously air-conditioned building, one is greeted by friendly volunteers who will tell you about the projects. The quilts are hung around the room and are beautiful.

The beauty pageant, horse show and livestock shows were held at other locations, but the prize-winning livestock are scheduled to be at the park on Friday.

Entertainment is offered every evening starting at 6:00 p.m. Thursday will feature Bluegrass music with performances by Bottom Line, Broad Hollow and Bobby Maynard and Breakdown. Friday will be Gospel music night with The Hatley Family, The Jackson Family, Hinson Girls and Gospel Heritage performing. Everyone is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the music.

Friday at 4:30 p.m. there will be children's games, including the sack race, bubblegum blowing contest, three legged race, egg toss, watermelon seed spitting and water balloon contest.

Camden Park looks bright and cheerful with the colorfully painted rides and beautiful flower beds. Workers keep everything clean and debris picked up. Ride operators are friendly and helpful and very attentive to the safety of the riders.

Camden Park is over 100 years old, family owned, and the only amusement park in West Virginia. Many of the rides have been around for years--in fact, some of the children's rides were there when I was small. I remember riding the handcars and always stopping and needing a push. I saw the same thing happening last night, with an attendant following the cars to give a much-needed push. I do miss the old storybook figures that were painted on the wall next to the track.

There is still a mini-turnpike ride; the style of the cars has changed over the years, but the basic ride is the same. Unchanged is the kiddie rocket ride where kids still fire make-believe ray guns at each other.

For kids of all ages is the Carousel with its brightly painted horses. The carousel is probably the oldest ride in the park and is one of a very few historic carousels left in this country.

For big kids and adults there are plenty of rides, both nostalgic and new. The Big Dipper, the park's main roller coaster, is on the register of classic coasters and is a "must ride" for coaster enthusiasts. It is one of the oldest wooden coasters in existence.

Another nostalgic ride is the Haunted House, recently restored to its former glory as a "dark house"--again one of a very few remaining. Another must ride.

The newest ride, opened this summer, is the Rattler. Not for the faint of heart, the Rattler is a true thrill ride, and for me the best ride ever. I am a roller coaster enthusiast, and the Rattler offers the same sensations--speed, air time, the feeling of swooping towards the ground then up again--without giving you whiplash or beating the sides of your head. The Rattler is a wonderful addition to Camden Park and every visitor should ride it. It is also the only ride in the park that can be ridden barefoot, as loose shoes have to be removed lest they go flying across the park. The attendants are very helpful in making sure all loose items are secured.

Classic rides such as the Whip, Scrambler and Dodgem are still very popular and many people were enjoying getting soaked on the Log Flume to help ease the heat. The Sky Ride travels over the miniature golf course and entertainment pavilion, and the train still circles the back half of the park. For a few dollars you can rent a swan paddle boat and float on the lake.

Fair-style concessions are available and you can stuff yourself silly on Pronto Pups, hot dogs, popcorn, funnel cakes, cotton candy and snow cones. There is a cafeteria if you want a meal.

The midway has skill games and a shooting gallery, as well as a penny arcade and gift shop.

Vendors and politicians have tables in one of the picnic shelters near the cafeteria.

There are only a couple of days left to enjoy the fair and experience Camden Park at a reduced admission fee. The fair started Tuesday, August 7 and runs through Friday, August 10. The gates open at 4:00 p.m., rides start at 5:00 p.m. and the entertainment begins at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $12.00 plus tax for adults. Children three and under are admitted free. The admission price includes all rides and parking. Camden Park is located on Route 60 west of Huntington, WV.

If you have any comments you can contact me at Lloyd@marshall.edu.