By Nellie Hall, Shorelines Yearbook
As the days get longer and the ocean warms, school is finally out and summer begins. A big part of summer for local students and visitors is the Soundside Fun Fair. Many students go and enjoy rides, snacks and just hanging out with their peers in this annual summer tradition.
The seventh annual carnival is a memory-making, four-day event that begins June 6 and runs through June 9. With all the fun adventures the fair has waiting, it’s something you have to experience. Plus, it’s for a great cause, benefiting the Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County (CYP).
So what can you do at the fair? There are many rides located on the Soundside event site in Nags Head, ranging from the Ferris wheel to mini roller coasters. A crowd favorite is the Ferris wheel because it takes you up and gives you a good view of Manteo and Nags Head. One of the downfalls about these rides is since so many people go, the lines can get long, so bring your friends to hang out with in those lines, or venture out and meet new people you’re waiting with.
Another attraction at the fair is the food, with lots of classic carnival options such as funnel cake, fried Oreos, candies, chicken sticks and more.
“My favorite fair treat is cotton candy because it melts in my mouth. It tastes like a cloud and I only get it at the fair, so it’s a once-a-year kind of thing,” junior Schuyler Wilson said.
There’s also many fun games that you can play to win prizes. Ring toss, balloon popping and basketball toss are all fun games that involve winning the classic carnival prize – a stuffed animal. These can range from little ones to giant stuffed animals that are bigger than some kids at the fair.
“I won a little octopus from the game when you sit on a chair and get to shoot penguins down. It was really fun and I still have the stuffed animal today,” junior Kate Wasniewski said.
From the food to the rides to the games, there’s lots of fun to be had. The carnival is open from 5 to 11 p.m. Parking and admission are free, and there are options to purchase single tickets for rides or unlimited ride wristbands. Cash and card can be used for payment.
Junior Nellie Hall is a member of the Shorelines Yearbook staff. She can be reached at [email protected].
