So, whenever we're planning these trips the travelling fairs is always the bit we do last because the information isn't known when we start the planning. Whilst very successful with the fairs in Mexico last year the timing of the trip meant that there wasn't much on. A lot of the showmen were elsewhere. However whilst doing the research I found a small town in Missouri that was having a street fair but I couldn't find any information on rollercoasters. As it was on the drive to St Louis we agreed to check it out.
As we got there we parked close to the lit up town centre where the fair was taking place.
and it didn't take too long to find out that there was a coaster, an Oriental Express model.
The operator's t-shirt and ticket booth revealed the showman's name to be Fun Time Shows and using that were able to find their website and more details about their rides. Based out of Missouri state, so local boys, this showman has two coasters but only one was here. The other was a Dragon Wagon so we weren't overly upset.
The operator was a little reluctant to let us on, after all his day had been full of coordinating little kids into the ride and four adults must have been enough of a shock to the system for him. Once I'd assured him that I'd got the OK from the ticket booth before buying the tickets he was cool and let us all ride together.
The ride was ok. These coasters don't vary too much so you know what you're getting; a fairly ok ride with at least one hill that isn't ideal for riders of our size.
With the credit out of the way we had a quick explore of the other rides, but none of them were particularly unique or appealing.
The attractions were popular with the locals though. I guess it's not very often that the fairground comes to town.
and fortunately it wasn't the Papa Lazrou show.
and so that was the Fulton Street Fair and any time you get a bonus coaster is always a good day, even more so when it's one that wasn't on the enthusiast's radar. Whilst we weren't surprised with finding a lot of new stuff in Mexico it's a genuine surprise to be locating them in the country with teh most enthusiasts, which makes these a little special.
So from here we made our way into St Louis, ready for the next day and having arrived at the hotel things looked a little suspicious. There was no member of staff on the counter yet the till drawers were laid out on the counter-top full of cash. Then a guy came out from around the back dishevelled with his shirt out of his pants and he was unable to register us in at the desk, instead taking our passports out back to process us there. I had this horrible suspicion that the place was being robbed and imagined the real staff being taped up around the back whilst the guy got them to register us in without them being able to get our attention to ask for help.
It turned out it was just my imagination, as the same guy was still there in the morning.
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