TR: Random Coastering In Michigan Vol. 2; Ionia Free Fair (7/19/15)

Super Nova (A#712/M#414) was the main reason we came out to the 100th running of the Ionia Free Fair. This is a brand new Z40 Zyklon, I believe an IE Park version, which just made its first appearance out of the container two weeks prior in Bay City, MI. This ride will soon be making its way to Wisconsin to anchor Spin City, and then it’ll be off to Minnesota and Texas for their big fairs. But first; 10 days here in Ionia. As you’d expect from an almost brand new piece, the ride is super clean. There’s barely visible wheel marks on the tracks. Individual cars of 4 circulate around with lapbar only seating. There’s also a belt that runs off the lapbar for each rider down between the legs to clip in. I found the belts nearly impossible to clip in or press for release, and it seemed like a mighty tight squeeze for me, a not enormous person to ride.

The overall design of the car is very open, with low sides and a very open front to the car, leaving you feeling rather exposed. That’s something I appreciated, I guess. The ride isn’t better than any other in of this sort, and it certainly isn’t the worst either. Nothing worth spending tons of time and money to go after. The only other ride we’d do during the fair was a 1001 Nachts-style ride called Magic Carpet. With the high seat backs and rattling seats, it wasn’t my favorite of the style that I’ve been on, certainly.

The overall feeling of going to the fair was not so positive. Before pulling in, a group of youths waiving confederate flags requested a honk of support. Later, twitter informs me, they headed in, one with a shirt emblazoned with “My heritage is not rasist” (sic). Inside, one individual was selling a baby fox (“no permit required!” stated the sign), elephant rides were provided, and the usual collection of oppressive hyper conservative type junk was everywhere. I like the idea of fairs. I may be starting to hate them in practice, at least at this level.