ALBERTON
The midway rides have already rolled into town in preparation for the 92nd annual Prince County Exhibition which takes place in Alberton from Thursday, July 26 to Saturday, July 28.
Wayne Morine, a ride supervisor, said Hinchey’s Rides and Amusements is making use of a brief lull in their schedule to perform some mid-season maintenance.
The rides are a visual reminder to passersby that the annual agricultural fair is just days away.
It’s also an opportunity to set up the rides at a less hectic pace, acknowledges Shawn Turgeon. The Sidney, Cape Breton resident is a veteran of about 25 seasons with the midway.
New to the exhibition grounds this year will be the Spider ride which replaces the Octopus. A Merry-go-Round has been replaced with the Berry-go-Round. Other rides include the Round-up, Tilt-a-Whirl and the Star Trooper. Turgeon was heading up a crew that was assembling the Star Trooper on Wednesday.
A relative newcomer to the staff, Richard Chase from Greenwood, NS, is in his fourth season with the midway. “It’s always interesting,” he said. “Every week is something different.”
Morine and fellow ride supervisor and mechanic, Bill Murchison, are veterans of close to 20 years with the midway.
“I like travelling,” said Murchison in explaining what he enjoys about the midway business.
Each community they return to is an opportunity to renew acquaintances from years past.
Morine said the midway has about 15 workers on site helping with the setup and more, including the games staff, will be arriving in time for the three-day fair.
