Fair rides mix the old with the new

CANFIELD — Sure, the Canfield Fair has plenty of music, food and animals. But it just wouldn’t be complete without rides — 50 to be exact.

The rides are transported to the fair on everything from pickup truck beds to tractor-trailers. They can come in 100 pieces that have to be assembled, or a few pieces that just sort of unfold like an accordion.

Some are old, like the helicopter that dates to 1950, and some are new, like the G-force, which is making its debut at the fair this year.

Even though some of the rides are more than 20 years old, like the 1978 merry-go-round, that doesn’t mean they have not changed.

Duane Bevridge is the general manager of Bates Bros. Amusement Co., one of two companies that have been providing the Canfield Fair with rides since 1987. He said technology has played a big role in changing the way rides are operated.

“Ninety-five percent of the rides are computer-run. We now have to employ computer technicians,” he said.

For more, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com