New rides, usual fun at RSVP carnival

Madison McGlynn, 11, in an orange "Island Girl" tank top and lime green eye liner, was excited to ride the Kamikaze at the 19th annual fair sponsored by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Saturday in Mills Park.

Her friend Cassie Buie, 12, in a blue sweatshirt, was not.

"Oh no," she said. "I usually get sick. I'll faint."

She waited on the grass holding her friend's red purse while the 60-foot arms on the Italian-made ride swung the cars higher and higher until they were upside down.

Madison was in the front car. Other kids screamed but not her.

"Right now I'm thinking about going on it again," she said afterward. She figured she could ride it a million times without getting sick.

"I've never thrown up on a ride," she said.

"I have," Cassie said.

The two, who walked to the fair from their homes nearby, said they might ride the Tornado next.

The general manager of carnival operator Royal West Amusement, Mac Chris, said the Tornado is new this year. It spins in a 40-foot circle and riders spin in a 4-foot circle.

"It's kinda like Disney Land's tea cups but you're in the air," he said. As it goes faster the arms extend out.

"You control your spin so you can get just as sick as you want to make yourself," Chris said.

This year there are 15 rides and 28 vendors.

There's plenty of food, said Chris. Hand cut fries, Chinese food, and barbecue.

"And of course we've got your corn dogs and all your food on a stick -- about anything you can put on a stick."

Katie Pollock, at the carnival with her two grandchildren, said the fries were the best ever.

"And this miniature roller coaster -- this is our third time!" she said. She watched long-haired Catherine, 8, and Alex, 5 go up and down and around from the grass of Mills Park.

"I like how they have the kids really secure and I really want to thank RSVP for putting this on," said Pollock, a Carson resident.

Working for his third day at the carnival was Floyd Swanner of Dayton. He was running the long range hoop shoot where "every in wins."

"It's a fun job," he said. You get to meet all kinds of people and make everybody smile -- that's the whole thing."

Carson City Sheriff's Chief Deputy Steven Shuette was walking the grass in the games lane, smiling in the sun.

"We're just walking foot patrols. We haven't had any trouble and we don't expect any," he said.

Representing the department at an informational booth were reserve deputies, search and rescue folks and members of the mounted unit. The 1954 Chevrolet "Car 54" with original Ormsby County markings and siren was parked nearby.

The Carson City Water Utilities Department had a booth for Drinking Water Awareness Week. They hosted a poster contest for second, third and fourth graders with the theme "Every Drop Counts -- Be Water Smart."

All moms ride free with kids today --Ethe last day of the carnival. Go to the teal and white trailer on the west end of the fair to get a "Salute to Moms" pass.

IF YOU GO

What: 19th annual RSVP Spring Fun Fair with carnival rides, games and food

When: Today is the last day (mothers ride free)

Where: Mills Park on Highway 50

Call: 687-4680