Hello everyone!
Here is my review of the Hawkesbury Show. I was meant to go yesterday but Dad had to work so we put it off until today. Anyway, we had the most unbelievable time and I went on quite a few rides. I’m a little tired, a bit sick in the stomach from all the twisting and turning and my back is a little out of wack after I hurt it slightly on the Crazy Coaster when it jerked forward when I wasn’t expecting it. It is all worth it no doubt about that!
As with the RES, Dad and I headed out there nice and early. I was a bit worried about the rain which fell overnight but my prayers were answered and it cleared up just in time.
I don’t usually pray for dry weather, what with the current drought and everything but I sure did today and it worked!
Anyway, the rides at this year’s Hawkesbury Show include: Ali Baba, Alpine Express, Crazy Coaster, Crazy Rider, Dodgems, Energy Storm, Extreme Speed, Flashdance, Ghost Train, Hard Rock, Hurricane, Mega Drop, Music Trip, No Limit, Power Surge, Ranger, Scorpion, Slingshot, Space Roller, Super Sizzler, Thunderbolt and the Wave Swinger. I’m sure to have left a few out but that covers most of the major rides. One thing that did surprise me was that the Skyview Wheel, a major drawcard to the Royal Easter Show was there, located on the edge of the main carnival, close to the Flashdance and Ranger. How they dismantled it, transported it from Homebush and reassembled it in such a short time I’ll never know but it sure was mission accomplished and the big wheel was drawing large crowds as it was at the RES although the queues were moving much quicker.
Despite the iffy weather, there were enough people to keep the rides running although I did find myself alone on some of them which is fun but a little embarrassing too as there are always lots of people watching you and you’re the centre of attention.
Our first ride was one of our favourites, March’s Wave Swinger. For some reason they didn’t have any music playing but the ride was working perfectly and we got a really long go because we were the only two on it. I love the Wave Swinger and could ride it all day long without getting sick!
Then it was the Crazy Coaster which was located nearby. There was a slight problem with it after we got on; they were waiting for some light to change colour and it didn’t and just as we thought the ride had broken down, off we went and everything went well. I think the wet weather had some affect on the rides as there was a lot of mud around and the cables were resting in it but that was the only real incident we witnessed.
After a short break, we continued through the carnival, into the really big thrill area with rides like No Limit, Speed and the Power Surge which all operated close together. The most popular by far was Speed but No Limit started attracting customers just before we left.
As for No Limit, what can I say that hasn’t been said already? This machine is amazing, utterly crazy and very terrifying! There’s no doubt you’re pulling close to 5 G’s as the ride spins upside down, then drops you headfirst towards the ground, stopping a very few metres from it. I’m fairly sure Elwyn Bell was operating it and he was great, talking pretty much through the ride cycle and playing a very appropriate song on the sound system, No Limit by 2Unlimited… One thing that really fascinates me about No Limit is the sound of it. It’s an indescribable whoosh that isn’t loud but is enough to be very appealing and makes you take notice right away. It’s like something is flying above your head and of course it is! Obviously you don’t pay attention to such things when you’re onboard but I could stand in front of it and watch and listen for ages.
The Hurricane was doing great business but I didn’t ride it this time, a pity in a way because I missed it so much at the RES. I think it was Young’s unit but I don’t know for sure. Anyway, hearing that ride in action confirmed to me I was in a carnival and I was thrilled about that!
I rode Pavier’s Scorpion later in the day and was the only one on it. I liked it a lot but it made me very dizzy indeed and I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to get down the steps without falling. The operator, an English fellow was extremely cool, explaining the ride’s movements to me before we started and told me over and over to yell out if I wanted to get off. I found all operators I encountered to be extremely helpful and a lot of fun.
Anyway, I needed a rest after the Scorpion but headed for Chant’s Flashdance soon after. What an utterly awesome ride this was! It was doing great business, the sound system was pumping out the Rogue Traders and the operator did all the “scream if you want to go faster” routines before pushing the machine to its utmost speed. This ride is so cool!
We made sure to look at every ride in action, even if we didn’t ride them all. O’Neil’s ranger, located right next to the Flashdance was doing big business and was full most of the time. Absolutely no one went on the Mega Drop at first but it got going in the afternoon and attracted a large number of spectators as well as riders. The slingshot did nothing all day; perhaps the $30.00 price is a bit much for the Hawkesbury Show crowds which consisted mainly of young families with little kids. It might be doing better tonight with more teenagers around but its something I’m sure the operators of that ride are looking at.
There were a few good rides missing from the carnival, namely the Cliff Hanger, Chaos, Breakdance, Rainbow, Techno Jump and Zipper. For all that, the rescheduled Royal Bathurst Show allowed for many new rides to hit the Hawkesbury Show carnival. Hard Rock and Mega Drop don’t usually do Hawkesbury but both were there this year.
If you’re thinking of heading out to the Hawkesbury Show which ends on April 29, I can definitely recommend it! I will undoubtedly be heading back there next year where there’s sure to be another awesome selection of rides.
but it is definitely something to consider 
was that not politically correct, Love ya.
old mr have a chat!