Saturday 24 September 2016

Canada's Wonderland- September 24th, 2016

Today, Scott, our Mom, and I had visited Canada's Wonderland. It was my 11th visit of the season! It was a nice cool weathered day but, quite busy due to two large groups and Canada's Wonderland's first Oktoberfest Event taking place this weekend. Also during our day at the park, I ran into Aldo, another Canada's Wonderland enthusiast. Other than a slight issue in the morning when we arrived and the park being quite busy in the afternoon, we had a great day. Now, enough with the talking and on with the photos!


Not only were there two large groups of people at the park amongst regular park visitors, there was also a very large group of geese at the park today, as well!
As you can tell, today was a very nice but, cool day at the park!
Now, this is where the little issue came about. You see, these gates say "open"...
While these gates were open but for only the groups that they were designated for. Anyways, for some unknown reason, the security guards had allowed us in through the gates that said "open". But, then we were asked to leave as the park wasn't open for the day yet. Then, many people as well were being turned away since they weren't apart of the specified groups for early ride time. It was kind of annoying. Many including myself were thinking why didn't they just have the gates specified for the groups open? Anyways, to make me slightly more annoyed I was scanned twice by the metal detector and wand scanned twice during this while some others entering the park weren't wand scanned by security. I think it was slightly discriminating because my brother Scott and I have beards, that's why the same security guard checked us over twice. Anyways, despite what happened before getting into the park, we ended up having a great day.
We eventually entered the park and came to this beautiful sight once again!
Now, here in Ontario, having open liquor in public without a license isn't legal. But, I guess if you're dead, it's okay! ;-)
As you've probably noticed, the park is getting ready for Halloween Haunt beginning next weekend and running on weekends until the end of October. They were still getting many decorations and Haunt mazes ready!
While we were waiting for rides to open at 10am, I captured this photo of the majestic Wonder Mountain on this cool Fall morning.
While Scott and I were being thrilled on Shockwave, our Mom decided to capture a few photos of some flowers around the park. Here is one of her photos.
Yes, you've read that correctly! Oktoberfest has come to Canada's Wonderland for the first time ever! Well, it may not be the real thing but hey, it definitely looked and sounded like it!
Splashworks has become totally deserted since closing on Labour Day for the season.
Here is another shot I had captured of Splashworks. Whirlwinds is sitting lonely waiting for another season of splish splashin' fun!
Since we were walking along the path between Action Zone and White Water Canyon after riding many rides and getting some lunch, I decided to capture this panoramic view of the park. You can definitely tell it's beginning to look like Fall once the leaves begin to change colours!
Like I had mentioned earlier, there were many geese about! There was this one group of geese that disobeyed park restrictions and started walking along the Kidzville Station's track! Some of them were nearly hit but, they managed to move out of the way with a few seconds to spare. ;-)
Well, since they couldn't ride, many just decided to start eating apples from a nearby apple tree.
If you were unaware the first time that Oktoberfest was happening at Canada's Wonderland, then here's another welcoming!
Oktoberfest at Canada's Wonderland definitely seems to be a success! Many visitors were enjoying the festivities which included live music, German foods, and of course beer.
Here are some authentic German performers which were featured at Canada's Wonderland's first Oktoberfest.
Here's where the beer was being served. 
I was quite impressed with how well Canada's Wonderland had transformed Medieval Faire (in front of Wonderland Theatre) into a small Oktoberfest venue. They really utilized the space quite well. I'd expect to see this become an annual event as it appeared to be a success during the first day today. My only question is, why didn't they hold it in International Festival since it's German themed? :-)
Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland is just around the corner, beginning just next weekend to be exact!
As you can tell in this photo, it was a very beautiful but busy day!
Here's Sledgehammer jumping sky-high in this photo as viewed from the queue line.
Psyclone was also going sky-high as well in this photo!
Here's a panorama shot I had captured while we were waiting inline for our second ride of the day on Sledgehammer.
These geese were behaving themselves unlike some who were acting rather unruly at the park today! ;-)
Here is a photo of The Bat temporarily down. Luckily Scott and I had gotten a ride on it earlier in the day!
Here is Scott, our Mom, and I after having another great day at Canada's Wonderland! Scott and I were able to get on many rides throughout the day, which was great considering how busy the park was!
Just after we had left the park, I noticed they had rolled out their Halloween Haunt hearse. I thank you for looking at my photos and reading my post! :-)

Thursday 22 September 2016

Acton Fall Fair- September 16th-18th, 2016

The Acton Fall Fair celebrated 103 years this past weekend with the theme of "Barnyards to Backyards". There were many things to do and see throughout the three day event. In this post you will see a little bit of everything which includes events, vendors, and of course the midway! The weekend for the fair was relatively nice with a beautiful opening day on Friday which was sunny and warm. Saturday was mostly rainy and warm, with Sunday which returned back to a sunny and warm day which attracted quite the crowds than the day before. Now on to the photos and videos!

It was a beautiful evening to the start of the 103rd Acton Fall Fair.
Here is a view from the Mulligan Wheel of the Orbiter in action!
Here's another view of Albion Amusements midway from the Mulligan Wheel.
Here is a ride load of people taking in the thrills of the Avalanche!
Here is the same group of people going around on the Avalanche. You can tell that there is an abundance of airtime on the Avalanche by looking at some of the riders' hair!
Here is a ground view of the Orbiter in operation.
Here is a somewhat blurry view of the fast action packed Himalaya! The Himalaya made a reappearance at the fair this year after a five year absence.
Here you can see these two girls enjoying their ride as they're joyfully squeezed together while rotating at high speeds as a horn blares!
Here is another view of the Himalaya. The Himalaya was manufactured by Wisdom Rides Merino, Colorado.
Here you can see the wonderful light package that the Himalaya possesses. You will see how beautiful it looks at night in later photos.
Here is Orbiter at full tilt. Riders can experience intense forces as they spin around on the Orbiter. The Orbiter is manufactured by Tivoli Enterprises and is regarded as one of the fastest rides on the midway.
Here is a closeup shot of the Orbiter as the cars narrowly miss the ride's sign!
Here is the Sizzler. It also has a nice light package which features newer LED lights. But, the sign still features classic fairground lights.
Here is another view of the Sizzler with it's dazzling light display!
Here you can see how riders are squeezed together as the Sizzler spins it's arms around in a calypso type motion.
Here is Zero Gravity in action. The Zero Gravity was manufactured by Dartron Rides. Here you can see that two pieces of canvas are missing from the ride's center.
Here is a view looking up at the Mulligan Wheel which has been an extremely popular attraction at the Acton Fall Fair for the past four years now.
As the sun begins to set, the lights begin to shine!

Here is a better view of the light display that is featured on the Himalaya.
Here are some visitors enjoying their rides on the Scooters bumper cars.
Here you can see that the crowds began to move in as the evening progressed.
Here is the Tilt-A-Whirl in operation. It may feature a rather dull light package compared to other rides on the midway but, it really stands out with its colour scheme!
Here is the Starship 3000 glimmering at dusk. 
Here you can begin to see the Mulligan Wheel's beautiful light display.
Here is a somewhat blurry view of the Himalaya as the evening progressed.
Here is a fuller Sizzler thrilling riders as they move around at high speeds!
Here is the Cuckoo Haus at dusk. Scott and I decided to pass it by this year as many of the components were broken!
Here is another view of the beautiful Mulligan Wheel! 
Here is the Acton Citizens Band performing at the Acton Fall Fair.
Here is Scott enjoying a hot dog at the Acton Fall Fair.

Here is a view of the midway at night!
Here is another view of the midway during this beautiful evening!
It was a rainy but warm start to the second day of the Acton Fall Fair.
The rides didn't open until much later as the rain persisted.
Here you can see an empty midway which is quite unusual for a late Saturday morning.
It had poured at times. Luckily the rain didn't cancel ride operations for the day.
The midway's power came back on around 1:40pm. Luckily the rain had let up because what's a fair without rides?
As you can tell, the rides began to operate shortly before 2pm as the rain began to let up.
Here is a somewhat rainy and empty midway as the rides began to come to life once again.
The rain began to come down quite hard again but, that didn't deter some fair-goers from getting in some thrills!
Here are a few riders enjoying a rainy ride on the Sizzler.
Next door, a few riders were also enjoying a rainy ride on the Orbiter.
Even though the Himalaya is covered, not many people chose to take a spin on it during the day. I guess people preferred the warm rain?
Here is a view of the crooked Scooter sign. It may look normal from this angle but, looking at it from the side, it was a totally different story! ;-) Below is an on-ride video of the Sizzler! :-)
Here is a view of the Mulligan Wheel while we arrived at the fair on Sunday.
Sunday was a much better day as the fair was busier thanks to the nice, sunny weather!
Here is a view of the midway from the Tilt-A-Whirl.
Here is Scott and I before we took a spin on the Tilt-A-Whirl.
Here is a view of some of the midway from the bottom of the Mulligan Wheel.
Below is the Kiddie Midway and games as seen from the Mulligan Wheel.
Here is a closer view of the Kiddie Midway from the Mulligan Wheel.
Here is a view looking straight down from the top of the Mulligan Wheel.
Here is a competitor competing in the classic tractor pull at the Acton Fall Fair.
Here's another tractor driver pulling the weights along.
From what I remember this competitor had gone quite far!
You can see some children enjoying their ride on the Lolly Swings.
Here is the control panel for my favourite ride of all time which is the Tilt-A-Whirl! :-)
Here are some more views of the Kiddie Midway from the Mulligan Wheel.
You can definitely tell the fair was bustling as the afternoon progressed.
The Orient Express may appear to be empty in this photo but, many children where having fun while going around on it throughout the afternoon!
Here you can see many enjoying the midway throughout the beautiful, Sunday afternoon!
Later in the afternoon, the midway became less busy but, that didn't mean there weren't more thrills to be had!
Here is my first panorama shot of the Acton Fall Fair's midway.
Here is another panorama shot of the midway at the fair.
Here is a longer panorama shot featuring the Avalanche, Scooter, and the Himalaya (Click panorama photos to enlarge).
Here is a view of the bustling vendors area as there were only a couple hours left to enjoy the fair.
Here is a long panorama shot looking at the many vendors who came out to this year's Acton Fall Fair.
Here is another long panorama shot of the trickling midway just before the fair ended.
Last minute rides were being taken in before the tear down of the rides began. If you didn't capture Albion Amusements this year at the Acton Fall Fair, you can head down to Milton and catch them at the Milton Fall Fair this coming weekend.
Here is an almost empty midway during the final minutes of the 2016 Acton Fall Fair!
Here is my favourite panorama shot I had captured while at the fair! Believe it or not, the Himalaya was actually behind me! My cheap camera seems to do quite well at taking panorama shots! :-)
Here is another panorama shot I had captured on the fair during its final minutes.
Here is the Tilt-A-Whirl sitting idle before being packed up and moved to it's next location.
Here is another panorama view of the deserted midway.
Here is an interesting ground view of the midway sitting idle and waiting to be taken down.

Here is a final view of the Mulligan Wheel prior to being dismantled.  Below is a video compilation of the 2016 Acton Fall Fair! I hope you enjoyed my photos and videos of the 2016 Acton Fall Fair!