FAYETTEVILLE – During this period of suffering through post-Hurricane Florence conditions, the Cumberland County area may perhaps take some modicum of solace in reflecting on the upbeat festivities of little more than a week ago.
Fayetteville hosted the annual fair at the Crown Complex at 1960 Coliseum Drive from August 31-September 9. It “showcases and preserves the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County. It celebrates the diversity of local arts and crafts; provides fun, healthy family entertainment with music, motor-sports, and animals; and encourages an environment of friendly competition for all ages.”
Big Rock Amusements is a major part of the Cumberland County Fair. A family owned and operated traveling amusement park, it is owned and operated by Matt and Kelly McDonagh. Matt has been a part of the amusement industry all his life and has over 40 years of work experience in the business. The company was established in 2010 with the purchase of 10 rides and has expanded to a 30 ride carnival , working with festivals, county fairs, and even state fairs. The couple emphasizes running a quality, family operation setting Big Rock Amusements apart from others in the industry. Their major rides include Zero Gravity, Tilt-A-Whirl , Sizzler, Sea Ray, Zipper, and Himalaya. They are based out of Saginaw County, Michigan. Currently, Big Rock travels throughout Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Georgia. They do have a website, www.bigrockamusements.com, which shares information on the company and employment opportunities.
Big Rock Amusements will be at the Lee County Fair September 11-16, Wilson County Fair September 18-23, and the Robeson County Fair September 27-October 6.
According to fair officials, ticket sales have been up this year in spite of the record-breaking heat that Fayetteville has experienced throughout the fair. Special ticket rates have been available on different days for seniors, military and emergency services personnel, students, and those with church bulletins.
As a child, I looked forward to attending the county and state fairs every fall, usually during the end of September or often October. All the smells, the sounds, the sights, the tastes—tugging at my parents’ hand telling them that I wanted to go on that ride, buy some cotton candy, and go see the farm animals. As a retired person helping a high school friend for the next few weeks with her business, I am checking something off my bucket list that I always wanted to do when I was growing up—“running away and joining the circus”. This has been quite an experience so far –watching others, talking to people from all over the world of different ages, eating the best cupcakes I have ever tasted, drinking more water in a week than I usually would in a couple of months, etc. I will be sharing stories about these special people that are part of the “Carny Life” while I travel with my friend Susan Wright Hocking, another Hamlet native, to three more county fairs in North Carolina.
Editor’s note: Contributor Pam Simmons was scheduled to travel with the county fair operations as they set up in Cumberland, Lee, Hoke, and Robeson counties. While the Cumberland Fair was not affected, Hurricane Florence has since wreaked havoc on this part of our state and rendered it doubtful if any of these other counties will be able to host their annual county fair festivities this year. Pam will keep us posted.
