U.K. FUNFAIR IN SINGAPORE, 2002
The U.K. Funfair was brought into Singapore for the very first time in April 2002. Its run at Woodlands town was so well received that the operator, Uncle Ringo, had decided to extend its stay here with re-location to Bishan town from 25 May 2002 to 25 June 2002.
The timing for the second run could not have been better what with the extended dry spell here and the June school holidays. It had been a rare treat for Singaporeans and a far superior one at that when compared to Escape Themepark at NTUC Pasir Ris Resort, Sentosa Island and Sunway Lagoon over in Malaysia.
Entrance fee for an adult was S$2 while children under 12 years enjoy free admission. The open-air funfair was located conveniently in a field next to Bishan MRT station and Junction 8 Shopping Mall. Upon paying the entrance fees and collecting our tickets, my family and I came face to face with a bouncer -- a macho-looking local guy with dark glasses. I promptly gave him the tickets and we were through for a whale of a time.
The entire ground of the fair was laid with metal sheets which are kept clean by a team of uniform-clad workers using robust industrial vacuum cleaners. Right after the entrance stood Europa Rad, a huge ferris-wheel be-decked with lights radiating the yellow and blue of the European Union, beckoned me. I have a soft spot for the ferris-wheel; there is something enchanting about them. Only my elder son wanted to join me for the ride. We had to purchase coin tokens, which are priced as follows: 2 for S$5; 4 for S$10 and 8 for S$20. The cost was 3 tokens for five thrilling whirls with the accompanying blast of loud, clear, upbeat music from speakers mounted onto the control room. From the top, we had a kaleidoscopic view of the funfair and were mesmerized by the myriad of bright and twinkling lights decorating the numerous attractions offering rides or games. The view was all the more spectacular as the evening sky had darkened with the setting of the sun.
Both my sons had a go with Toys-4-Kids where toy cars just like those from Enid Blyton's fairy tales took them up a slope at one end before descending at the other end. They went a few rounds with evident delight. Mini Paratrooper took them airborne round and round at varying heights. Surprisingly, they enjoyed Jump-N-Smile tremendously. They went into these huge covered inflated PVC beds and walked-and-bounced as Neil Armstrong did on the moon. With acquired familiarity of their new-found environment, they began to roll and execute free falls not unlike what they would attempt at the swimming pool.
The game stalls were plentiful and inviting. A reasonable equipping of skills with balls and rings would reward the player with gargantuan stuffed toys such as Winnie the Pooh, Merlin the Magician and Tigger. Many winners could be seen lugging their well-earned prizes.
My wife and younger son boarded the Ghost Train in a bat-shaped seat. As they waited, a Hunchback of Notre Dame look-a-like was seen climbing up a rope. Imagination or not, the nonchalant operator of the train bore an uncanny resemblance to the Hunchback. The ride was short but they could be seen popping out of a door before being whisked into another door. According to them, it was scary inside where spooky stuffs would suddenly appear in their path. They lived to tell a tale.
There was Top Buzz, but we never quite figured out what it was as nobody was riding when we were there. But Reverse Bungee to a height of 55 metre; 15 double-decker buses ; or 40 persons, got our attention. The banner called it "The Ultimate Sky Screamer". With patience, we got to understand what is reverse bungee as two young ladies gamely paid their six tokens. The two burly operators must have given them a quick and approving sizing up as they chatted with them and strapped them in their seats within a metal cage-like ball. Two expandable and retractable cables were fastened on one end to the cage while their other ends were, in turn, affixed to two steel poles in a Y-shaped formation. After a brief built-up of tension for the cables, the ball was shot straight up to the air until it reached a peak and dropped with the full force of gravity. For a few tamer rounds, the daring duo were hurled up and dropped. As a precaution, enthused riders were forewarned by notices posted at this station.
A greater challenge loomed at the nearby G-Force where a crane-like structure would swing four riders on each of its two ends 360 degree and where their seats would also be swung 360 degree. The fact that the general public could handle this ride came as a surprise to me as I thought that only trained personnel such as air force pilots could undergo such gravity-defying feats.
For a taste of the wild, wild west of North America my sons went for a pony adventure where their mechanical horses trot along a trail strewn with cacti. They also paddled kayaks through a teepee. Then it was off for a children's version of Pirate Ship where the vessel would swing up and down to the left and to the right up to an elevation of 90 degree. Jumping Jack offered measured drops from a height of four metres for children while Space Fall catered to adults with a one-off fall from a height of some twenty-five metres. Wild Mouse looked promising with rides through a circuit of rails. From the rear its carriage resembled a mouse on a haphazard escape, running hither and thither.
My children enjoyed a second go at Toys 4 Kids, and later put in considerable efforts scaling the Fun Bump and sliding down from it several times with the gracious deference by the attendant who did not restrict them to the standard three rounds. Feeling worn out but still smiling, we headed for the exit where Frisby was still picking up riders. This frisbee-like facility would rock up and down like a Pirate Ship while spinning its passengers.
The tough bouncer was still at the gate. He was seen chatting with his co-worker or perhaps, his supervisor, a looming English woman. It was about 8:30 P.M. The sense of fun and thrill was in the air and would continue unabated till 10:00 P.M. when the fair closes for the night. Till next time, the fun we had had lives on with us.WB
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