Carnival coming to Nags Head
BY NEEL KELLER SENTINEL STAFFCarnival is a time to celebrate. And that's just what people will be doing in Nags Head beginning Tuesday, June 14. The occasion is the 50th anniversary of the Town of Nags Head, which was incorporated in 1961.
"This is a big one," said John Ratzenberger, chairman of Nags Head's 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee. "A 50th anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime event - and that's just what this will be."
Following opening ceremonies at the Windmill Point site, there will be a ribbon cutting and the 2011 Carnival will be declared open. It will run nightly through Saturday, June 18 from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. and feature such well-known rides as The Zipper, Starship 4000, High Roller, Super-Slide, Ring of Fire and The Roundup, according to carnival producer Jody Cadwell.
There also will be skill games and "kiddie rides," including a children's train, children's boat ride and the Apple Worm. Two food trailers will sell traditional favorites such as popcorn, cotton candy, caramel apples and funnel cakes. And local vendors will sell a variety of treats.
Cadwell said Deggeller Attractions, based in Stuart, Fla., is supplying the rides. "They're one of the biggest carnival operators in the industry," added Cadwell. "They go to state fairs in Virginia, Maryland and Arkansas."
He said that he can't remember the last time a traveling carnival came to the Outer Banks. Deggeller Attractions bought the ferris wheel from Dowdy's Amusement Park which closed in 2005. "It will be very well-lit and very colorful," Cadwell said. "And lots of fun."
"We're excited about the possibilities this event will open up for the town," Ratzenberger said. "If this is successful, we'll have more events like this in the future."
Modern traveling carnivals date back to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, which featured the world's first Ferris Wheel which was named after its builder, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. The Chicago fair also included the first "midway" and Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. The popular new form of entertainment caught on in a big way, and by 1902 there were 17 traveling carnival shows touring the country. This number grew to 46 in 1905 and an estimated 300 carnival companies by 1937.
The term "carnival" is thought to be derived from the Late Latin term "carne vale," meaning "farewell to meat." It refers to the traditional celebration just before the Catholic season of Lent, with its fasting from such foods as meat and sweets. This tradition continues today with Rio de Janeiro's huge Carnival, holder of the 2010 Guinness World Record for biggest party on earth. Its smaller cousin, Mardi Gras, is celebrated annually in New Orleans.
And now, of course, Nags Head will do its best to be added to the list of notable celebrations.
"This is a big one," said John Ratzenberger, chairman of Nags Head's 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee. "A 50th anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime event - and that's just what this will be."
Following opening ceremonies at the Windmill Point site, there will be a ribbon cutting and the 2011 Carnival will be declared open. It will run nightly through Saturday, June 18 from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. and feature such well-known rides as The Zipper, Starship 4000, High Roller, Super-Slide, Ring of Fire and The Roundup, according to carnival producer Jody Cadwell.
There also will be skill games and "kiddie rides," including a children's train, children's boat ride and the Apple Worm. Two food trailers will sell traditional favorites such as popcorn, cotton candy, caramel apples and funnel cakes. And local vendors will sell a variety of treats.
Cadwell said Deggeller Attractions, based in Stuart, Fla., is supplying the rides. "They're one of the biggest carnival operators in the industry," added Cadwell. "They go to state fairs in Virginia, Maryland and Arkansas."
He said that he can't remember the last time a traveling carnival came to the Outer Banks. Deggeller Attractions bought the ferris wheel from Dowdy's Amusement Park which closed in 2005. "It will be very well-lit and very colorful," Cadwell said. "And lots of fun."
"We're excited about the possibilities this event will open up for the town," Ratzenberger said. "If this is successful, we'll have more events like this in the future."
Modern traveling carnivals date back to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, which featured the world's first Ferris Wheel which was named after its builder, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. The Chicago fair also included the first "midway" and Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. The popular new form of entertainment caught on in a big way, and by 1902 there were 17 traveling carnival shows touring the country. This number grew to 46 in 1905 and an estimated 300 carnival companies by 1937.
The term "carnival" is thought to be derived from the Late Latin term "carne vale," meaning "farewell to meat." It refers to the traditional celebration just before the Catholic season of Lent, with its fasting from such foods as meat and sweets. This tradition continues today with Rio de Janeiro's huge Carnival, holder of the 2010 Guinness World Record for biggest party on earth. Its smaller cousin, Mardi Gras, is celebrated annually in New Orleans.
And now, of course, Nags Head will do its best to be added to the list of notable celebrations.
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