Screamfest

Before we leave the Oak Bay Tea Party behind for this year I thought I would share with you some screams from a popular midway ride. I'm sure I don't understand why anyone would pay to have an experience that makes you scream but they do and here's proof (video below is 1 minute long).

Oak Bay Tea Party

When the Oak Bay Tea Party sets up the midway at Willows Beach Park I am always amazed at how the big trees there make even the glitzy, razz-a-ma-tazz seem pleasantly pastoral.

Oak Bay Tea Party

At this time of year there is one or more major events every weekend. Last weekend was the annual Oak Bay Tea Party. I missed the parade this year but here's a taste of the midway at Willows Beach.

Oak Bay Tea Party

The Oak Bay Tea Party takes place over the whole weekend so I went down to Willows Beach on Sunday to look at some of the events. There is bathtub racing, lots of midway rides, and an air show.

Saanich Fair 2

Well, the Saanich Fair has lots of horses and cows and agricultural events but the midway has an especially robust selection of rides compared to the urban midways we usually attend (Esquimalt Buccaneer Days and the Oak Bay Tea Party). And of course there is always cotton candy and a range of junk foods that makes the local McDonalds look like an organic salad bar. The shop below is offering "Chicken Fingers" - I never knew chicken had fingers, but then I never knew buffalo had wings until I saw some offered on a local bar's menu.

Oak Bay Tea Party

In a society where many of the fun things we used to do when we were kids are now off limits for children as too dangerous, it's nice to see that midway rides still offer some extreme experiences that feel dangerous even if they aren't. The kids above are enjoying one of my former favorites, the Tilt-A-Whirl, on the midway at the annual Oak Bay Tea Party, last weekend.

Bumper Cars

Is there anything finer?Probably not, although some seem to prefer the Tilt-A-Whirl.Whatever your taste in inane childish thrills, you will find it at the Oak Bay Tea Party. If the midway rides are not enough, you can belly up to some fries and gravy and a slushie while you watch the bathtub races. And of course, since it's Oak Bay, there is also the Baron of Beef and Tetley's Tea option. Where else can you have a troop of Girl Guides serve you tea on the beach? It's all still happening today at Willows Beach in Oak Bay and it's all for the benefit of local charities. Don't miss this great local event.

Tilt-A-Whirl

What could be more fun than riding in a sparkly green and gold contraption and getting whirled around and up and down at high speed until you're hoarse from screaming and seriously in danger of losing your belly-full of cotton candy, french fries and pop? These absolutely senseless midway rides were immensely popular long ago when I was a kid and, judging by the long line-ups at the Oak Bay Tea Party yesterday, they still are.

Esquimalt Buccaneer Days - The Super Shot

The Victoria community called Esquimalt holds a special celebration every year called Buccaneer Days. Like the Oak Bay Tea Party, it is designed to foster community spirit and to support local charitable causes. There are number of traditional events such as pancake breakfasts, etc., and there is also this photographer's special delight, a carnival midway. This particular one had a ride called the Super Shot. It's very simple: Strap people in, haul them way up in the air, and then let go. To the objective bystander, the passengers appear to experience extreme distress as they plummet towards earth and it is a joy to watch the most macho young men and coolest young women dissolve into terror when the catch is released. In the photo immediately below a group is just nearing the top of the tower.In the next photo below, the group has just been released and are free fall. Click these photos for an enlarged view.