Final day

Penny Meushquash’s wait to ride the infamous Zipper has come to an end.

The 14-year-old waited a whole year before climbing into the cage of the popular ride at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition on Sunday. The ride tosses and flips its passengers upside down while going at a speedy pace.

Penny said she enjoys the ride because of the spins.

“It’s my favourite,” she said. “I first came here probably two years ago. Some of the rides have changed. I like the fair. I come here with my family and friends.”

Brent Shine came to the five-day fair, which started on Wednesday, with his two daughters. Although Shine has been a frequent patron of the fairgrounds, he decided to reintroduce himself to some of the rides. Shine found the tall ship ride that moves quickly back and forth one of the scariest.

He said he tries to make going to the fair a family tradition.

“We’ve been here 13 years in a row,” he said. “It’s fun for the kids and fun for the adults too. It’s a great time and we’re having a blast.”

He said even when his kids grow up he will continue to come to the fair.

Seven-year-old Hannah Rose wanted to win prizes at the fair and had already taken home a stuffed donut as a trophy. She had to test her strength by hitting a button with a hammer. She said she tried the big one but found the smaller hammer to be more her size.
She said her favourite ride is the ferris wheel.

“It’s fun,” she said. “I can see the river over there. Don’t be afraid. It’s really fun.”

Fair chairman Ralph Scharf said the turnout at the fair had improved from last year. The fair attracted more than 400 more cars compared to the previous year.

Scharf said many people like to park at the Intercity Shopping Centre and shop before coming to the fair but he added that he wasn’t sure if the opening of Target had an impact to the numbers.

“This fair is tradition,” he said. “Grandma and grandpa brought their children here and now they’re bringing their children here. I think summer without the fair is not summer.”

He added it almost seemed unbelievable that the fair had a week without terrible weather.

The CLE wraps up on Sunday at midnight. For more information, visit the fair’s website.