On October 21, 1979, I was on the Midway at the State Fair of Texas. On that day, there was an unusually high wind whipping through the fairgrounds. I wanted to ride the flying swings, but they were beginning to knock together. My mother who has a terror of heights not only forbid me from riding any aerial rides that day, she started kind of rocking and chanting; Why don’t they stop the rides? Why don’t they stop the rides?
We were making our way towards the (non-aerial) scrambler ride, but the going was slow since one sister wanted to stop at every candy stand and another kept stopping at the games of chance. I was bored and irritated with everyone when I heard a strange noise overhead. I looked up and watched a cable car from the Swiss Sky Ride rock loose from it’s cable and crash one kiosk to the left of where my middle sister was flirting with a carny.
I will not describe what I saw or heard. I will tell you that one man died and 17 others were injured. My father gathered us all together and we left the fairgrounds being herded to the parking lot by police. I have not been back to the State Fair since. I tell you this because I think maybe 29 years later, I may go back with my husband and children but I’m not certain I really can.
For years the smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes made me violently ill. The thought of my children on that Midway makes me tremble even though I know it is safer than the tollway during rush hour. It’s not fair to them or my husband to keep them from seeing what is one of the most amazing annual events in the country.
My best friend who is an avid fair goer and a blue ribbon winner, sent me an entry form to compete alongside her at this year’s fair. I keep looking at the form and then putting the pen down again. I ought to do it. I’m going to do it. I’m just not sure I can do it.
11 responses so far ↓
1
Jen on the Edge
// Jul 19, 2008 at 8:18 am
Don’t push yourself on this. That was a seriously traumatic incident and if you feel uncomfortable going, then don’t.
Jen on the Edges last blog post..I’m so imperfect (duh)
2
Janet
// Jul 19, 2008 at 8:46 am
OK, this is the fourth comment I’ve attempted. I have no idea what I would do. First I thought maybe try it, but with an escape clause so you’re not stuck there all day. Then I thought, maybe send some of your canned goods with your friend. Then I thought maybe just let hubby and kids go. I’m with Jen though, I think if you’re not ready to go you probably shouldn’t. Some kinds of trauma don’t really go away despite the passage of time. I speak from experience.
3
Badger
// Jul 19, 2008 at 9:47 am
Oh man, I remember that! We moved to Texas in August of that year so that was right after we got here. Probably explains why my parents never took us up there.
People have been killed on rides at the rodeo that rolls through Austin every year, and I won’t take my kids to that, either. Even though I went once during my single days (before people started DYING there) and it was kind of fun.
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4
Sarah
// Jul 19, 2008 at 9:53 am
OMG…how traumatic! I can’t blame you for not wanting to return!! No one can tell you what to do…but if you aren’t comfortable, you shouldn’t go. It would become a miserable experience for all. If your husband is willing, let him take the kids…some memories are too difficult to surpass.
If you do go, make sure your support system is well in place, and like Janet suggested, have an escape clause. You may just need it…you don’t need to have a panic attack thinking you are stuck somewhere with such memories to assault you.
5
Ree
// Jul 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I was at the Shrine Circus in Detroit when one of the Wallendas fell off the high wire and died. I never went back until Shortman was 5 or so. And even then, I kept my eyes shut when they were walking the wire.
Can you stay away from the Midway and only go near the competition tents? I know ours are pretty far apart.
Rees last blog post..Haiku Friday - Shopping Plans
6
Jennifer H
// Jul 19, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I’ve never witnessed anything like that, but the news stories I hear have made me think twice about some of those rides.
Don’t push yourself to go if it’s too much. There are plenty of other things for your family to do and to enjoy without putting yourself through that.
With that said, I wonder how you would feel if you went, with an escape plan, as others suggested? And do you have to be present to compete?
Jennifer Hs last blog post..The Cowboy Way
7
Joy T.
// Jul 19, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I can’t say that I blame you on this one. That must have been horribly traumatic if it’s still with you today. I just know you will win if you compete so I hope we read you competed. Slow and easy and if it’s too much at least you tried.
Joy T.s last blog post..Man I Loved My Break. Man I Love Digital Cameras.
8
charlotte
// Jul 20, 2008 at 11:21 am
Sounds horrible. You poor thing. whoa.
I say don’t force yourself to go. Maybe take a little walk around the outside, listen to the sounds, smell the smells. See if you can experience it in a small way at first. Thats really tough. Good luck.
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9
Green Girl
// Jul 20, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Wow. I’ve never had a remotely comparable experience so I cannot blame you for staying away from the fair. Yuck. Plenty of other summer fun, right?
Green Girls last blog post..Flashback Friday: The Smellomatic Version
10
Angel
// Jul 21, 2008 at 10:01 am
I can’t even imagine what that day must have felt like to you. I also can’t advise you on what to do because it’s all within yourself.
My only thoughts are that there are a lot more great things in this world to see than dirty fairs with creepy guys running the rickety rides.
I don’t think you’ll be depriving your kids of anything great if you don’t go.
Angels last blog post..Ode to an underdog.
11
Athena
// Sep 27, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Wow, I’m really sorry you had to be there to witness that awful accident. I don’t think I’d be going to the fair anytime soon if I was in that situation. Don’t be to hard on yourself. You’ll know when you’re ready.
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