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Expansion at Kiddie Land
By Elise Franco
Canfield
As the Canfield Fair continues to expand and grow, so do its attractions.
Beginning as a small corner of land near the 4-H Building more than 20 years ago, Kiddie Land has transformed into an area of the fairgrounds that’s packed from the moment the rides open until the gates close each night, said Kim Bates, of Bates Amusements Inc.
Bates said this year the fair board asked the company to grow Kiddie Land, and the result is a new ride called the Flying Dragon, as well as a trio of Ferris wheels located next to the merry-go-round.
“We kind of made it a nostalgic area,” she said. “We pulled some tradition into the Ferris wheel area and made it a place for the young and old.”
Bates said even one or two new rides improve the area and draw people in.
“We’ve tried to stay progressive with the growing needs of the fair,” she said.
Dawn Donaldson, of Salem, said she and her children meet up with family every year and spend the day riding rides. She said she likes that the fair board continues to add more.
“The kids love it,” she said. “We come and stay all day.”
Casey Donaldson, 10, knew immediately which attraction she wanted to ride first.
“My favorite has to be the Music Express,” she said.
George Roman, fair board member in charge of concessions, entertainment and the grandstand, said Kiddie Land was last expanded about 10 years ago when they began using the space around the 4-H building.
Bates said some of the rides now extend to the other side of the building, next to Western Reserve Village.
Roman said even after the expansion, the area is busy.
“It gets very congested,” he said. “It’s a popular place, especially with the strollers and wagons. It can be elbow-to-elbow people.”
Roman said the board was able to expand Kiddie Land this year because it had the extra space, and Bates Amusements had the extra rides available.
“With the younger kids, it’s very popular, and it was time to expand,” he said.
Eric Bates, of Bates Amusements Inc., said the expansion already is working to alleviate some congestion.
“It’s going to give us great flow around Kiddie Land,” he said. “It’s still packed, but it’s better getting around.”
Kim Bates said they now have about 60 attractions at the fair, and almost half are in Kiddie Land.
“We have a good balance,” she said.